WO2010067387A1

WO2010067387A1 - Window with a cleaning device, and fluid cleaning assembly comprising such a window

Info

Publication number: WO2010067387A1
Application number: PCT/IT2008/000755
Authority: WO
Inventors: Attilio Ricchetti; Giuseppe Salva'
Original assignee: Attilio Ricchetti; Salva Giuseppe
Priority date: 2008-12-10
Filing date: 2008-12-10
Publication date: 2010-06-17

Abstract

A window having a support (2); a window pane (3) fitted to the support (2) and defining an outer surface (6) exposed to weather; a cleaning roller (13) and a wiper (14) for cleaning the outer surface (6); actuating means (12) fitted to the support (2) to put the cleaning roller (13) and wiper (14) through a cleaning cycle starting from a rest position; and a fixed housing (37) connected to the support (2) and designed to conceal the actuating means (12), the cleaning roller (13), and the wiper (14) in the rest position.

Description

WINDOW WITH A CLEANING DEVICE, AND FLUID CLEANING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A WINDOW

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a window comprising a cleaning device and that can be fitted to a poorly accessible part of a structure. The present invention also relates to a fluid cleaning assembly comprising a number of such windows. BACKGROUND ART

A window normally serves to light the interior of a building or structure with natural light, and may- comprise a fixed window pane fitted rigidly to a fixed supporting frame, so it is always closed, except for repairs requiring removal of the pane from the frame. On outward- facing windows, atmospheric agents, such as rain, or pollutants, such as particulate from vehicle exhaust or fuel-fired heating systems, leave a film that is both unsightly and reduces the light in the interior. In the case of a building such as a skyscraper, or a structure, such as a cruise ship or freighter, making access to fixed windows difficult from the outside, external windows can be cleaned manually using a suspended rig. This, however, has drawbacks in terms of both safety and the time taken to get the job done cleaning one window after another. For example, windows cannot be cleaned in strong wind or rough sea conditions, thus reducing the comfort of the occupants in the interior.

Alternatively, the frame may be movable to air the interior, but for safety reasons, as in the case of a skyscraper, can only be opened a small amount, thus preventing the outside of the window being cleaned from the inside. In the following description and Claims, a window of this sort is referred to as "slightly movable" .

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a window featuring a cleaning device designed to eliminate the above drawbacks by means of an automatic device that is fully functional with a minimum of user assistance. According to the present invention, there is provided a window with a cleaning device, as claimed in Claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred, non- limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of a window with a cleaning device, in accordance with the present invention, and showing the face of the window pane exposed directly to weather;

Figure 2 shows a side view of Figure 1 with parts removed for clarity;

Figure 3 shows a detail of Figure 2. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a window comprising a fixed supporting frame 2; a window pane 3 fitted rigidly to fixed supporting frame 2; and an automatic cleaning device 4.

Automatic cleaning device 4 comprises a dispenser unit 5 for depositing detergent on a weather-exposed outer surface 6 of pane 3; a cleaning unit 7; and a detergent catch unit 8. Dispenser unit 5 comprises a dispenser 9 for depositing detergent on outer surface 6; and a control device 10 for metering the detergent from dispenser 9, and connected to a central control unit 11 which operates control device 10 automatically. The detergent is preferably liquid, e.g. a detergent and water mixture, and control device 10 is a solenoid valve.

Cleaning unit 7 comprises an actuating assembly 12; a roller 13 rotating about a movable axis A; and a wiper 14. Roller 13 and wiper 14 are operated synchronously and both fitted to actuating assembly 12. Roller 13 preferably comprises natural-fibre bristles, which retain the detergent longer, so less detergent is required to effectively clean outer surface 6.

Actuating assembly 12 comprises a right side drive 15 and an identical left side drive 16, which, for the sake of simplicity, are described below with reference to right side drive 15 only.

Right side drive 15 comprises a first pulley 17 hinged about an axis parallel to axis A, and fitted to fixed supporting frame 2; a second pulley 18 hinged about an axis parallel to axis A, and fitted to fixed supporting frame 2; a flexible drive member 19 looped about pulleys 17, 18; and a longitudinal guide 20 cooperating with flexible drive member 19.

Right side drive 15 is preferably synchronous, and pulleys 17, 18, for example, are toothed, and the flexible member is a chain meshing with the pulleys. Right side drive 15 defines a near-side branch 21 close to outer surface 6; and a far- side branch 22 at a distance from outer surface 6.

When drive member 19 is a chain, a pin (not shown) is modified, is longer than the links, and, together with the corresponding pin of the chain of left side drive 16, defines axis A of roller 13. Roller 13 preferably has supports (not shown) that fit onto the pins defining axis A to support rotation of the roller. Roller 13 also has releasable axial locking means (not shown) for fixing roller 13 axially and in rotary manner to the pins of axis A and to respective flexible drive members 19 without impairing rotation, while at the same time enabling removal of the roller for maintenance. Wiper 14 is connected rigidly and removably to flexible drive members 19.

Right and left side drives 15, 16 are connected to each other to operate synchronously, are powered by an electric motor 23 connected to central control unit 11, and are preferably connected to each other by a shaft 24 connected rigidly between pulleys 18.

To rotate roller 13, window 1 comprises a straight toothed member 25 fitted to fixed supporting frame 2, and roller 13 comprises a toothed pulley 26 connected to and non-rotational with respect to roller 13, and which meshes with the straight toothed member. Straight toothed member 25 is preferably fitted to a flexible support, which is flexible in at least one direction in a plane perpendicular to axis A. Advantageously, straight toothed member 25 is a length of chain, and the flexible support comprises a number of coil springs 27 spaced longitudinally along straight toothed member 25.

To ensure effective cleaning by roller 13 and wiper 14, longitudinal guide 20 comprises a wall 28 crosswise to outer surface 6; and a wing 29 interposed between branches 21 and 22. More specifically, wing 29 is straight, and is designed to hold branch 21 at such a distance as to ensure roller 13 and wiper 14 exert sufficient pressure on outer surface 6 to clean it effectively.

As shown in Figure 3, the most highly stressed, wear-prone areas of wings 29 are the inlet and outlet ends. In a preferred embodiment, as opposed to being formed in one piece, longitudinal guide 20 therefore comprises a number of longitudinal portions 30 that can be maintained and, if necessary, replaced separately.

Detergent catch unit 8 is located beneath outer surface 6 to collect runoff detergent by force of gravity, and comprises a trough 31 at least as wide as outer surface 6 and connected hydraulically to a detergent collecting tank 32. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the window is connected to a dedicated hydraulic circuit not integrated in the building or ship's water mains, and which comprises tank 32; a feed line 33 to which a number of dispensers 9 are connected parallel; a drain line 34 to which a number of detergent catch units 8 are connected parallel; and a pump 35 for pumping detergent from tank 32 back to feed line 33. Tank 32 is normally lower down than the number of windows 1 connected to it, and one central control unit 11 is connected to all the windows of the structure or building.

Window 1 also comprises a wall 36 sized and mounted with respect to the path of roller 13 to skim wiper 14 and so remove any debris clinging to the wiper and which could impair detergent removal from outer surface 6. Wall 36 is advantageously fitted to trough 31, and is preferably located to skim wiper 14 so the debris falls by gravity into trough 31 and is carried off by drain line 34.

Once window 1 is installed, dispenser unit 5, cleaning device 7 and detergent catch unit 8 are concealed and protected by a preferably flat housing 37 defining an opening of the same size as outer surface 6. To prevent particles from accumulating inside the gap between the housing and fixed supporting frame 2, seals are provided with movable parts allowing movement of roller 13 and wiper 14 when actuating assembly 12 is operated. For example, the seals comprise a fixed peripheral brush 38 surrounding the opening in the housing and extending across the whole width of the gap, and which, for example, comprises two sets of facing bristles, one connected to fixed supporting frame 2, and the other to housing 37. Window 1 according to the present invention operates as follows.

When motor 23 is not operated by the central control unit, the bristles of brush 38 prevent dust and other particles from settling on the moving parts of window 1, and roller 13 and wiper 14 are in a rest position, covered and protected from the weather by housing 37.

To clean outer surface 6, the user activates a control by means of central control unit 11 to start a cleaning cycle. Solenoid valve 10 opens, detergent is applied to the outer surface, and motor 23 drives chains 19 to move roller 13 and wiper 14. More specifically, as roller 13 travels along branch 21, toothed pulley 26 meshes with straight toothed member 25, so the translatory movement of branch 21 is converted to rotation of roller 13.

Following the mechanical action of roller 13 on outer surface 6, wiper 14 contacts and presses against outer surface 6 to wipe the detergent off into detergent catch unit 8 and so dry pane 3. For this purpose, wiper 14 comprises a strip 39 of elastomeric material, which is pressed against outer surface 6 by interference between the distance defined by wings 29 and the size of wiper 14. More specifically, wiper 14 is larger than the radius of roller 13.

Pulleys 17 are located below the edge of pane 3, whereas straight toothed member 25 is substantially the same length as pane 3, so roller 13 and wiper 14 are covered completely by housing 37 close to pulleys 17, and pass over trough 31.

As wiper 14 passes over trough 31, strip 39 skims wall 36 to remove any debris; and the cleaning cycle terminates when roller 13 moves back into the rest position at pulleys 18.

The detergent is fed back into tank 32 along drain line 34.

Window 1 has the following advantages. Housing 37 being fitted to fixed supporting frame 2 and protecting actuating assembly 12, roller 13, and wiper 14 from the weather in the rest position, no assembly/dismantling work by the user is required, and outer surfaces 6 in hard-to-reach positions can be kept clean with no need for suspended rigs.

Longitudinal guide 20 provides for pressing both roller 13 and wiper 14 to the right pressure on outer surface 6. Flexible support 27 of straight toothed member 25 takes up any slack, thus eliminating noise.

Wiper 14 is cleaned by wall 36 at each cycle, thus preventing longitudinal smears on pane 3. Comprising portions 30, longitudinal guide 20 provides for faster maintenance and cheaper spare parts . Using a closed detergent circuit means the detergent can be used again. Moreover, tank 32 can be fitted with filters for removing particles from the detergent, and can be emptied, after a given number of cleaning cycles, and the detergent disposed of by specialists. Since detergent normally comprises nonbiodegradable chemicals, this therefore has the ecological advantage of preventing drainage of detergent into the sewer system.

Clearly, changes may be made to window 1 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the protective scope as defined in the accompanying Claims . The window pane may be either fully transparent, or comprise one or more opaque or partly reflecting layers to regulate the amount of light through it.

Claims

1) A window comprising a support (2) ; a window pane (3) fitted in fixed or slightly movable manner to said support (2) and defining an outer surface (6) exposed to weather; a cleaning roller (13) and a wiper (14) for cleaning said outer surface (6) ; actuating means (12) fitted to said support (2) to put said cleaning roller (13) and said wiper (14) through a cleaning cycle starting from a rest position; and a fixed housing (37) connected to said support (2) and designed to conceal said actuating means (12) , said cleaning roller (13) , and said wiper (14) in said rest position.

2) A window as claimed in Claim 1, characterized by comprising a straight toothed member (25) ; and in that said cleaning roller (13) is connected rigidly to a toothed pulley (26) that meshes with said straight toothed member (25) at least at a stage of said cleaning cycle in which said cleaning roller (13) is moved by said actuating means (12) .

3) A window as claimed in Claim 2, characterized in that said straight toothed member (25) is fitted to said support (2) by means of elastic means (27) .

4) A window as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said actuating means (12) comprise at least a first and a second pulley (17, 18) ; and an endless flexible member (19) looped about said roller (13) and said wiper (14) during said cleaning cycle .

5) A window as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by comprising a guide (20) defining a first wall (29) , which cooperates with said endless flexible member (19) and is located at such a distance from said outer surface (6) that said cleaning roller (13) and said wiper (14) exert a given pressure on said outer surface (6) . 6) A window as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that said guide (20) comprises a number of intermediate portions (30) .

7) A window as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by comprising a scraper wall (36) fitted to said support (2) and which cooperates with said wiper (14) after said cleaning roller (13) has moved over said outer surface (6) and before said cleaning roller reaches said rest position.

8) A window as claimed in Claim 7, characterized by comprising a detergent catch unit (8) defining a trough

(31) located between said support (2) and said housing (37) to recover detergent by force of gravity; and in that said scraper wall (36) is positioned vertically in said trough (31) . 9) A window as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized by comprising a solenoid valve (10) and a detergent feed conduit (9) connected to said solenoid valve (10) to feed liquid detergent onto said outer surface (6); a drive (23) for operating said actuating means (12) ; and a central control unit (11) connected to said solenoid valve (10) and said drive

(23) . 10) A fluid cleaning assembly comprising, in a closed hydraulic circuit, at least one window as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims; a detergent tank

(32) ; a feed line (33) for feeding detergent onto said outer surface (6) ; a drain line (34) for feeding detergent back into said tank (32) ; and a pump (35) for circulating said detergent in said circuit.