JPH10262880A - Control of floor washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to extend useful life as long as possible by preventing repeated uncleanness on the floor due to an oversight of a neglected lift-up opeartion of a squeegee and the squeegee from being damaged, with reference to a floor washer. SOLUTION: While by means of operating a switch for squeegee ascent and descent in an opeartion switch part 20, a main controller 23 makes the squeegee go up and down by controlling a squeegee ascent and descent motor 21, and it controls left and right drive motors 4 and 5 by means of other switch operations in the operation switch part 20 and performs control processing for running and cleaning of the floor surface. To a handle of the floor washer, a handle switch 11 for activating only for running is installed and, when this handle switch 11 is activated, the main controller 23 controls the squeegee ascent and descent motor 21 and performs a control processing to lift up the squeegee.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for controlling a floor washer (manual or automatic type) for cleaning a floor surface, and more particularly to a floor washer for controlling elevation of a squeegee when a main body is moved. It relates to a control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are two types of floor washer, an automatic type and a manual type. The automatic type floor washer detects a front wall or the like on the front surface of a main body 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. Sensors 2 for detecting the side walls and the like of a predetermined area on both sides of the moving body 1 and the like, and driving motors 4 and 5 for the left and right wheels for running the body 1
Has rotary encoders 6 and 7 for detecting at least the traveling distance. In addition, the main body 1 is provided with at least a cleaning means such as a squeegee 8 for cleaning the floor, and the squeegee 8 suctions dirt (sewage, dirt, etc.) on the floor to clean the floor.

The traveling (cleaning traveling) of the main body 1 can be set by an operation panel 9 shown in FIG. 6. When the vehicle travels automatically according to the setting, the surroundings of the main body 1 are monitored by the ultrasonic sensors 2 and 3. Check the position again. For example, when the front wall is detected, it stops in the trouble of the wall,
And the running distance until then is calculated. After a while, body 1
To start running in a row parallel to the front row. When the traveling distance becomes the same as that in the front row, the main body 1 is stopped, and thereafter, the main body 1 is reversed and the traveling is started again. By such repetition, it is possible to reciprocate while cleaning the floor surface of the predetermined area, so that cleaning can be performed without any trouble, that is, unmanned.

The operation panel 9 is provided with a switch for setting a movement mode and a lift switch for raising and lowering the squeegee 8 (not shown). When the movement mode is set, the main body 1 can be run. Thereafter, if the squeegee 8 is raised by operating the elevating switch of the operation panel 9 and the start switch is operated, the main body 1 can be run without activating the cleaning function (without activating the suction function by the squeegee 8). . Further, a handle switch 11 for traveling is also attached to the handle 10 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). When the handle switch 11 is operated, the cleaning function is activated regardless of the setting of the movement mode. The main body 1 can be run without the need.

Accordingly, the main body 1 can be moved to a desired place without cleaning the floor surface, and it is easy to move from a predetermined area to a predetermined area (for example, from a warehouse to a cleaning site or from a cleaning site to a warehouse). Can be done, and at the same time,
That is, since the start switch and the stop switch of the operation panel 9 do not need to be operated, the usability is good.

On the other hand, in a manual floor washer, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a predetermined area is to be cleaned, the cleaning means is operated by an operation switch (lever) while operating the main body 12 manually. By running the main body 12, the floor surface is cleaned at least by the squeegee 13 in the same manner as in the automatic type. Further, a switch for traveling is operated in conjunction with the handle (switch lever) 14. When the switch lever 14 is pushed down as shown by a dashed arrow in FIG. 7, the switch is turned on and the main body 12 travels. I do. When the hand is released from the switch lever 14, the switch lever 14 returns to its original state, that is, the switch lever 14 is automatically raised, whereby the switch is turned off and the running of the main body 12 is stopped.

Therefore, when the main body 1 is moved to a desired place without cleaning the floor, the operation of the cleaning means is stopped, and the switch lever 14 is pushed down. Then, the main body 1
2 is traveling only, and the main body 12 can be moved from a predetermined area to a predetermined area similarly to the automatic type.

[0008]

By the way, in the case of the above-mentioned automatic floor washer, since the switch for raising and lowering the squeegee 8 is provided on the operation panel 9 as described above, the function of the squeegee 8 is reduced. When it is not necessary, the squeegee 8 can be raised. The manual type floor washer also has a switch (or lever) for raising and lowering the squeegee 13 for the same reason as the automatic type.

However, regardless of whether the squeegees 8 and 13 are raised when moving the main bodies 1 and 12 irrespective of the automatic type and the manual type, in other words, if the switch (lever) for raising and lowering the squeegees 8 and 13 is forgotten. , Squeegee 8,
The sewage and dust adhering to 13 are scattered on the floor just cleaned, that is, the floor is soiled. That is, when the main bodies 1 and 12 are traveling, the cleaning means is stopped, that is, the suction function of the squeegees 8 and 13 is not operating.

When the main bodies 1 and 12 are moved with the squeegees 8 and 13 lowered, not only does the floor surface become dirty, but also the distal ends (rubber materials) 8a and 13 of the squeegees 8 and 13 are displaced.
Since a is in contact with the floor, its wear is accelerated. In addition, since the squeegees 8 and 13 have a certain width and one of the tips 8a and 13a is longer (see FIG. 8), when the main bodies 1 and 12 are retracted and advanced, the rubber material is formed. Twists (turns up in the opposite direction) at the tip portions 8a and 13a of the slab, not only does the scattering of sewage and dust become severe,
There is a problem that the tips 8a and 13a are damaged and the life of the squeegees 10 and 13 is shortened, and the running cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to prevent the floor surface from becoming dirty again even if the user forgets to raise the squeegee when moving the main body 1, and to prevent the squeegee from being damaged. In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a method of controlling a floor washer in which the life can be extended as much as possible.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention makes it possible to raise and lower a squeegee for sucking dirt on at least the floor surface and to run the main body. In the method of controlling a floor washer which performs cleaning while cleaning, the squeegee is automatically raised when the main body is moved.

According to the present invention, there is provided a control method of a floor washer for cleaning at least a squeegee for sucking dirt on a floor surface while allowing the squeegee to move up and down the main body, and performing cleaning while traveling on the floor surface. The squeegee is automatically raised when the handle switch or the switch lever is operated so that the squeegee can be moved by running the main body.

According to the present invention, at least a squeegee for sucking dirt on a floor surface can be moved up and down and the main body can be run, and while the floor surface is automatically cleaned while running, the main body can only be run. As a control method of a floor washer having a movement mode function for enabling movement of the main body, a handle switch for moving at least the main body so as to be movable is provided, and the handle switch is operated. When the movement mode is set, the squeegee is automatically raised.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
4 and 5, the same and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. 4 to 6 for the main body of the automatic floor washer, and FIG. 7 for the main body of the manual floor washer. In the method of controlling the floor washer according to the present invention, simply moving the main body does not perform cleaning, and therefore there is no necessity to lower the squeegee. To raise it.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the controller to which the control method of the floor washer (automatic type) is applied, when at least the operation of the handle switch 11 of the operation switch section 20 is detected, the squeegee 8 of the squeegee 8 A main control unit (CPU board) 23 that drives the lifting motor 21 via a driving circuit (relay circuit) 22 and controls the lifting of the squeegee 8 is provided. The operation switch unit 20 includes an operation panel 9 shown in FIG.
Of various switches.

Further, the control device includes a main body 1 for detecting a distance to a front wall surface or a side wall surface of the main body 1 or the like.
An ultrasonic sensor unit 24 having ultrasonic sensors 2, 3 and the like disposed on the front and both side surfaces of the ultrasonic sensor 2,
And a sub control unit (CPU board) 25 that measures the distance to the front wall surface, the side wall surface, and the floor surface based on the detection signal, and outputs the distance to the main control unit 23.

The main control section 23 performs control (running and cleaning) in accordance with other switch operations of the operation switch section 20 in addition to the above-described functions. Based on encoder pulses and the like from the encoders 6 and 7, control instructions such as running (including speed) and reversing (including shifting) are issued, while necessary information for enabling reciprocating traveling in a predetermined area is stored. The drive wheel control circuit 26 outputs drive signals for the drive motors 4 and 5 in accordance with a control instruction from the main control unit 23,
Drives the drive motors 4 and 5 according to the drive signal.

Next, the operation of the control device having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2. First, the floor washer is in a power-on state, that is, a state in which traveling and cleaning control can be performed. And At this time, the main control unit 23 executes the routine shown in FIG. 2, and monitors the state of the handle switch 11, that is, determines whether the handle switch 11 is turned on (step ST1).

For example, in order to move the main body 1 to a desired place, the operator of the main body 1 turns on the move switch of the operation switch section 20, that is, sets the control mode to the move mode, and then turns the handle switch 11 on. When operated, the process proceeds from step ST1 to ST2, and it is determined whether or not the mode is the movement mode. In this case, since the mode is the movement mode, the process proceeds from step ST2 to ST3, and the squeegee 8
Is performed, that is, the squeegee lifting / lowering motor is driven via the drive circuit 22 to raise the squeegee 8 (to raise the squeegee 8 into the main body 1).

If the handle switch 11 is not turned on or if the operator has forgotten to operate the moving switch, the routine is terminated, and then the handle switch 11 is monitored again by the routine. The squeegee 8 is not raised. If the operator has already raised the squeegee 8 by operating the lifting switch of the operation switch 20, that is, if he has not forgotten to raise the squeegee 8, the processing of the step ST3 is not executed.

Subsequently, when the squeegee 8 rises, a running operation process is executed, that is, the drive motors 4 and 5 are driven, and the operator can move the main body 1 to a desired place.

As described above, since the squeegee 8 is automatically raised in conjunction with the operation of the handle switch 11, the main body 1
When the body 1 is moved, the tip 8a of the squeegee 8 does not come into contact with the floor surface, the tip 8a does not wear, and its life is prolonged. There is no need to disperse sewage, garbage and the like on the floor, and there is no need for recleaning.

Further, when the main body 1 is moved backward and forward, the tip 8a of the squeegee 8 is not in contact with the floor, so that the tip 8a is not twisted, that is, the tip 8a is not damaged. As a result, the service life is longer and the running cost can be reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the squeegee 8 is not raised unless the moving switch of the operation switch unit 20 is operated, that is, unless the moving mode is set, but the moving switch is turned on. Even if not
The squeegee 8 may be automatically raised only by turning on the handle switch 11. In this case, since the setting operation of the moving mode is not required, the burden on the operator of the floor washer is further reduced.

In the automatic traveling of the floor washer, for example, when the width of the passage is narrow and the floor surface of the passage is not cleaned, that is, when a process of simply passing (a so-called simple moving process) is executed, The squeegee 8 is raised regardless of whether the handle switch 11 is operated. Thus, when cleaning a plurality of passages unattended continuously, no trouble occurs.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, and is a flowchart for explaining a method of controlling a manual floor washer. First, it is assumed that the floor washer is in a power-on state, that is, a state in which traveling and cleaning control can be performed by operating each control switch (or lever). At this time, the control unit executes the routine shown in FIG. 3 to monitor the state of the switch lever 14 linked to the handle 14, that is, to determine whether the switch lever 14 has been pressed down and turned on (step ST10). ).

For example, when the operator of the main body 12 depresses the switch lever 14 to move the main body 12 to a desired location, the switch is turned on in conjunction with the switch lever 14, so that the process proceeds from step ST10 to ST11. ,
It is determined whether the cleaning unit of the main body 12 is operating.
If the switch lever 14 cannot be depressed, that is, if the switch is not turned on, the routine ends, and
Thereafter, the monitoring state of the switch lever 14 in the routine is maintained again, and the raising control of the squeegee 13 is not performed.

If the operator has not operated the cleaning means, the process proceeds from step ST11 to ST12, in which the squeegee 13 is raised (the squeegee 13 is raised inside the main body 12).
Execute If the operator has already raised the squeegee 13 with the lifting switch (raising / lowering lever), that is, if the user has not forgotten to raise the squeegee 13, the process of step ST12 is not executed.

Subsequently, when the squeegee 13 is raised, a running operation process is executed, that is, the drive motor is driven, and the operator can move the main body 12 to a desired place (step ST4).

As described above, when the switch is turned on in conjunction with the switch lever 14, the squeegee 13 is automatically raised, so that the same effect as that of the automatic floor washer can be obtained.

If the cleaning means of the main body 12 is operating when the switch lever 14 is depressed and the switch is turned on, that is, if the operator has activated the cleaning means of the floor washer, step ST2 to ST
Proceed to 4 to execute the running operation process without raising the squeegee 13. Therefore, the floor surface can be cleaned without raising the squeegee 13.

[0033]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the control method of the floor washer, the squeegee for sucking the dirt on the floor can be moved up and down, and the squeegee can travel on the floor. In the method of controlling a floor washer that cleans while moving the main body, the squeegee is automatically raised when the main body is moved. Since the squeegee is prevented from being scattered on the surface and the life thereof can be extended, the running cost can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a method of controlling a floor washer for cleaning a squeegee for sucking dirt on a floor surface while moving the squeegee up and down the floor surface, the squeegee for running the floor surface is cleaned. It has a handle switch or switch lever to make it moveable, and when the handle switch or switch lever is operated, the squeegee is automatically raised,
For example, even if you forget to operate the squeegee raising / lowering switch, the squeegee is always raised by operating the handle switch and switch lever, so that squeegee does not cause sewage or dust to be scattered on the floor surface, and furthermore, the squeegee is damaged. In addition, the life can be extended, and the running cost can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the squeegee for sucking dirt on the floor can be moved up and down to clean the floor while automatically running, while moving the main body only by running the main body. A method of controlling a floor washer having a movement mode function that enables a movement of at least the main body, the handle switch being operated, the handle switch being operated, and the movement mode being controlled. When the automatic squeegee is raised, the squeegee automatically raises the squeegee.If the automatic floor washer is not set to the transfer mode, the handle switch will not operate the main unit and the squeegee will cause sewage or garbage. The floor washer can be set to the transfer mode even if the floor washer is not scattered on the floor surface and the squeegee switch is not operated. Since the squeegee always rises by operating the handle switch, squeegee does not cause squeeze water and garbage to be scattered on the floor surface, and also prevents damage to the squeegee and prolongs its life, As a result, there is an effect that the running cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention to which a control method of a floor washer is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic flowchart for explaining the operation of the control device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart for explaining a modified embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a floor washer (automatic type).

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a floor washer (automatic type).

FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a floor washer (automatic type).

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a floor washer (manual type).

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial side sectional view of a squeegee of the floor washer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body (automatic floor washer) 8,13 Squeegee 8a, 13a Tip part (of squeegee 8,13) 9 Operation panel 10 Handle 11 Handle switch 12 Main body (manual floor washer) 14 Switch lever 20 Operation switch part 21 Squeegee lifting motor 22 Drive circuit 23 Main control unit (CPU board)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A method of controlling a floor washer, wherein at least a squeegee for sucking dirt on a floor surface can be moved up and down and the main body can be run, and the floor cleaner is cleaned while traveling on the floor surface. A method for controlling a floor washer, wherein the squeegee is automatically raised when moving. 2. A method for controlling a floor washer, wherein a squeegee for sucking dirt on at least a floor surface can be moved up and down and the main body can be moved, and the floor cleaner is cleaned while traveling on the floor surface. A floor switch, wherein the squeegee is automatically raised when the handle switch or the switch lever is operated. Control method. 3. A squeegee for sucking dirt on at least the floor surface can be raised and lowered, and the main body can be run, and the floor surface is cleaned while running automatically, while the main body is run only. In a method for controlling a floor washer having a movement mode function capable of moving the main body, the method includes a handle switch for moving the main body at least by moving the main body, and the handle switch is operated, And a method for controlling a floor washer, wherein the squeegee is automatically raised when the movement mode is set.