WO2014060939A1 - Unité de nettoyage pour rétroréflecteurs - Google Patents

Unité de nettoyage pour rétroréflecteurs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014060939A1
WO2014060939A1 PCT/IB2013/059354 IB2013059354W WO2014060939A1 WO 2014060939 A1 WO2014060939 A1 WO 2014060939A1 IB 2013059354 W IB2013059354 W IB 2013059354W WO 2014060939 A1 WO2014060939 A1 WO 2014060939A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
retroreflectors
vehicle
nozzle
cleaning
susceptible
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2013/059354
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Giorgio Micheletti
Andrea Micheletti
Original Assignee
Idromig S.R.L.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Idromig S.R.L. filed Critical Idromig S.R.L.
Priority to EP13818381.9A priority Critical patent/EP2909377B1/fr
Publication of WO2014060939A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014060939A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
    • E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
    • E01H1/005—Mobile installations, particularly for upkeeping in situ road or railway furniture, for instance road barricades, traffic signs; Mobile installations particularly for upkeeping tunnel walls

Definitions

  • the present invention is applicable to the technical field of cleaning systems and particularly relates to a cleaning unit for retroreflectors, which are typically found along roadsides, highways, airport runways and the like.
  • the present invention also relates to a kit and a cleaning method of the above retroreflectors, as well as to a software for exploiting this method.
  • these side barriers consist of guardrails, so-called “new jersey” barriers, boundary walls, milestones, plastic columns or the like.
  • the side barriers are typically provided with retroreflectors, retroreflective bodies susceptible to reflect light, such as the headlights of a vehicle.
  • the various retroreflectors defines a real boundary line of the roadway.
  • retroreflectors which lye outside and at the boundaries of a way for vehicles, are subject to get dirty, in such a manner that the reflective surface thereof became opaque.
  • along roadsides typically grow grass, shrubs and the like, which hides the visibility of the retroreflectors.
  • the same staff may be instructed to cut and weed weeds or shrubs that may hide the retroreflectors, thus making the process even more expensive in terms of time and money.
  • An object of the present invention is to overcome at least partly the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a cleaning unit for retroreflectors that allows a cost effective and efficient cleaning operation.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit and/or a cleaning unit for retroreflectors which allows to minimize the consumption of washing and/or rinsing fluids.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit and/or a cleaning unit for retroreflectors which allows to minimize the operative times.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit and/or a cleaning unit for retroreflectors that allows to operate safely.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a kit and/or a cleaning unit for retroreflectors which allows to minimize the use of human personnel.
  • a further object is to provide a kit and/or a cleaning unit for retroreflectors which allows to reduce, or even to avoid at all, the growth of grass, shrubs or the like nearby retroreflectors.
  • a cleaning unit for retroreflectors may be provided according to what is herein described and/or shown and/or claimed, in particular according to what is claimed in claim 14.
  • a method for the cleaning of retroreflectors may be provided according to what is herein described and/or shown and/or claimed, in particular according to what is claimed in claim 15.
  • a software product for the cleaning of retroreflectors may be provided according to what is herein described and/or shown and/or claimed, in particular according to what is claimed in claim 16.
  • FIGs. 1 is a side view of a cleaning unit 1
  • FIG. 2 is a hydraulic diagram of some details of the flushing 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the first movement device 6 for moving the first nozzles 5;
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the second movement device 13 for moving the second nozzles
  • FIGs. 5a, 5b and 5c are schematic views of the cleaning unit 1 during use respectively at time tO, tl and t2;
  • FIGs. 6a, 6b and 6c are functional schemes of the cleaning method which is carried out by means of the cleaning unit 1, respectively at time to, tl and t2;
  • FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a safety structure 45 which is to be inserted within the reservoir
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the third movement device 6' for moving the third spraying device 30.
  • the cleaning unit 1 is particularly suitable for the cleaning of the vertical retroreflectors R placed on the side barriers G of a roadway W to define the boundary line d thereof.
  • the cleaning unit 1 may include a vehicle V, for example a truck, on which all the components mentioned below may be mounted.
  • the cleaning unit 1 can be easily moved by an operator.
  • the operator can continuously move the vehicle V at a predetermined forwarding speed s along a forwarding direction d' substantially parallel to the boundary line d defined by the retroreflectors R.
  • the cleaning unit 1 may use a washing fluid LI, for example a mixture of detergent and water, the latter being preferably hot, and a rinsing fluid L2, for example water, the latter being preferably hot, which can be sprayed sequentially on the retroreflectors R to be cleaned.
  • a washing fluid LI for example a mixture of detergent and water, the latter being preferably hot
  • a rinsing fluid L2 for example water, the latter being preferably hot
  • the cleaning unit 1 may also be useful for weeding the areas A surrounding the reflectors R, so as to avoid the hiding thereof by weeds, shrubs and the like.
  • the cleaning unit 1 may use a herbicide fluid L3, for example a mixture of water and herbicide composition, to be sprayed on the area A.
  • a herbicide fluid L3 for example a mixture of water and herbicide composition
  • the vehicle V may advantageously include a first reservoir 40 for the water, a second reservoir 41 for the detergent and a third reservoir 42 for the herbicide composition.
  • an energy unit 43 of the known type may be provided.
  • the cleaning unit 1 may include a first spraying device 2 for spraying the washing fluid LI, which may include one or more first nozzles 5, a second device 10 for spraying the rinsing fluid L2, which may include one or more second nozzles 12, and a third device 30 for spraying the herbicide fluid L3, which may include one or more third nozzles 31.
  • the first, second and third nozzles 5, 12 and 31 may be mounted in sequence on the vehicle V at predetermined distances II, 12, so as to be the one downstream of the other along the forwarding direction d' thereof.
  • each of the spray devices 2, 10 and 30 may provide a respective first, second and third pump 3, 11 and 32, which will have their respective inlets 4', 15 and 33 fluidly connected with the first reservoir 40 of water by means of respective circuit branches 5', 16 and 34.
  • the first and third pumps 3 and 32 may further have the inlets 4' and 33 respectively fluidly connected also with the second reservoir 41 of the cleaning agent and with the third reservoir 42 of the herbicide.
  • respective dosing devices 5" and 35 may be provided to allow varying according to needs the ratio water/detergent and water/herbicide.
  • the pumps 3, 11 and 32 may have their outlets 4", 17 and 36 fluidly connected with the first, second and third nozzles 5, 24 and 31 by means of respective circuit branches 5'", 18 and 37.
  • the washing and rinsing cycle of the retroreflectors R may be automatically carried out while the vehicle V moves along the roadway W with speed s.
  • a device 15 for the selective detection of the presence of a retroreflector R to be cleaned may be provided.
  • the device 15 may include at least one sensor member 16, for example a photocell. The latter can be oriented and/or calibrated to detect retroreflectors R at a distance 13 from the vehicle V, for example 1 to 6 meters.
  • the device 15 may include a laser pointer 16' associated with the photocell 16 so as to allow the operator to verify the correct operation thereof directly from the cab of the vehicle V.
  • the laser beam will also work in conditions of poor visibility, for example with fog.
  • the photocell 16 may send a light signal C and may be able to detect the return thereof. Upon detection, at time to the detection device 15 sends an activation signal to data processing means 20, for example a CPU control unit.
  • the latter may be operatively connected with both the detection device 15 and the first and the second spray devices 2, 10 for selectively activating the first spray device 2 at a first predetermined time interval tl from the detection of the retroreflector R to be cleaned by the sensor member 16 and for selectively activating the second spray device 10 at a second predetermined time interval t2 after the activation of the first spray device 2.
  • the data processing means 20 may be susceptible to calculate the first and the second time interval tl, t2 according to the forwarding speed s of the vehicle V, and in particular to decrease the formers as the latter increases and vice-versa, so as to be sure that the nozzles 5, 12 work in sequence on the same retroreflector R.
  • means 25 may be provided for the input of the speed s data which are operatively connected to the data processing means 20, so as to allow a user to set the forwarding speed s of the vehicle V.
  • Such input means 25 may include for example a keyboard to manually input the desired speed, for example 10, 15 or 20 km/h.
  • means may be provided to automatically limit the vehicle speed to the set speed, such as a speed limiter.
  • the means 25 may automatically detect the speed of the vehicle and communicate it periodically to the data processing means 20, which may automatically calculate the intervals tl and t2.
  • the data processing means 20 may be settable or set with at least one of the first and/or the second time interval tl, t2.
  • these parameters may be manually set by an operator before starting the vehicle, or automatically set by a software program that interacts with the data processing means 20.
  • first and/or second time interval tl, t2 may be preset in the data processing means 20, for example upon programming thereof.
  • the same data processing means 20 may be susceptible to automatically calculate the other parameter.
  • a speed limiter mountable or mounted on the vehicle V may be provided to maintain the speed thereof as constant as possible.
  • the first spraying device 2 is activated at a first predetermined time interval tl from the detection of the reflector R to be cleaned and that the second spray device 10 is activated at a second predetermined time interval t2 from the activation of the first spraying device 2, it is possible to minimize the consumption of washing and/or rinsing fluid. In fact, the latter are sprayed only and exclusively when the related nozzles are in correspondence of the retroreflectors R.
  • the cleaning cycle may include at the beginning, that is at time to, the steps of selective detection of the presence of the retroreflector R to be cleaned along the boundary line d by the photocell 16, the calculation of the first time interval tl by the data processing means 20, the spray of the washing fluid LI on the detected retroreflector R to be cleaned by the nozzles 5, calculation of the second time interval t2 by the data processing means 20 and spraying of the rinsing fluid L2 on the washed retroreflector R by the nozzles 12. If necessary, the step of spraying the herbicide fluid L3 by the nozzles 31 may be subsequently provided.
  • a control panel may be provided whch is arranged inside the vehicle and by which the operator can manually operate while remaining in the vehicle, so as to continuously wash the retroreflectors while the veichle moves.
  • each of the spray devices 2, 10 and 30 may include a respective movement device 6 for moving the nozzles 5, 12 and 30 by varying the position thereof with respect to the retroreflectors R.
  • the movement devices 6, which may be substantially identical, may each include first actuating means 7 for moving the respective nozzles 5, 12 and 31 along a first axis X substantially perpendicular to the boundary line d, second actuating means 7' for moving the same nozzles 5, 12 and 31 along a second axis Y substantially perpendicular to both the first axis X and the the boundary line d and rotation means for rotatably moving the nozzles around the first and/or the second axis X, Y.
  • the position of the nozzles 5, 12 and 31 is advantageously adjustable to adapt to the position of the retroreflectors to be cleaned.
  • the use of the cleaning and rinsing liquids is optimized. This allows not only to optimize the costs of the cleaning operation, but also to limit the pollution caused by the fall of such liquids on the ground.
  • the nozzles can be rotated automatically during movement of the vehicle so as to remain oriented towards the retroreflectors for a time relatively high. This allows to increase the maximum forwarding speed of the vehicle beyond which the cleaning becomes ineffective, which is an aooarent gain both in terms of operation time and costs.
  • the third spraying device 30 for spraying the herbicide fluid L3 may include a respective movement device 6' which may include third actuating means 7", as well as possible first and second actuating means for the movement along the axes X and Y, which actuating means are not shown in figure as per se known.
  • the movement device 6' may include two longitudinal arms 8', 8", each defining the directions X and Y, rotatably coupled each other at respective ends 9', 9".
  • the third actuating means 7" may act on the first and/or second arm 8', 8" to rotatably move them around an axis Z which is substantially perpendicular to the axes X, Y and which passes through the point at which the arms 8', 8" are coupled to each other.
  • the movement device 6' may be rotatably mounted on the vehicle V to rotate about the axis Y.
  • elastic counteracting means 9'" may be provided to return the device 6' to the rest position upon impact with an obstacle.
  • the first and/or second and/or third actuating means 7, 7', 7" may include respective linear actuators.
  • the reservoir 40 may internally include a safety structure 45 in order to stabilize the vehicle V when the same reservoir 40 is not completely full.
  • the safety structure 45 may include a series of modular walls 46 coupled to each other to define adjacent compartments 47 to be filled by the washing liquid, so as to limit the longitudinal movement thereof.
  • the cleaning unit according to the invention allows to clean the retroreflectors with a single operator which drives the vehicle V.
  • the cleaning unit according to the invention further allows to prevent the growth of grass, shrubs or the like nearby the retroreflectors.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
  • Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
  • Dental Preparations (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une unité de nettoyage pour rétroréflecteurs (R) comprenant : un véhicule (V) susceptible d'avancer continuellement sur une route (W) dans une direction d'avance (d') sensiblement parallèle à la ligne de délimitation (d) définie par les rétroréflecteurs (R) ; un dispositif (15) de détection sélective de la présence d'un rétroréflecteur (R) devant être nettoyé ; un premier dispositif de pulvérisation (2) conçu pour pulvériser le fluide de lavage vers les rétroréflecteurs (R) devant être nettoyés ; un second dispositif de pulvérisation (10) conçu pour pulvériser le fluide de rinçage sur le rétroréflecteur lavé (R) ; et un moyen de traitement de données (20) fonctionnellement connecté au dispositif de détection (15) et aux premier et second dispositifs de pulvérisation (2, 10) et conçu pour activer sélectivement le premier dispositif de pulvérisation (2) à un premier intervalle de temps prédéfini (t1) à partir de la détection du rétroréflecteur devant être nettoyé (R) et pour activer sélectivement le second dispositif de pulvérisation (10) à un second intervalle de temps prédéfini (t2) à partir de l'activation du premier dispositif de pulvérisation (2). Le moyen de traitement de données (20) peut calculer les premier et second intervalles de temps (t1, t2) en fonction de la vitesse d'avance (s) du véhicule (V), de sorte que l'unité de nettoyage agit continuellement sur les rétroréflecteurs (R) tout en avançant dans la direction d'avance (d').
PCT/IB2013/059354 2012-10-15 2013-10-15 Unité de nettoyage pour rétroréflecteurs WO2014060939A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13818381.9A EP2909377B1 (fr) 2012-10-15 2013-10-15 Unité de nettoyage pour rétroréflecteurs

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITVI2012A000270 2012-10-15
IT000270A ITVI20120270A1 (it) 2012-10-15 2012-10-15 Unità pulitrice per catadiottri

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2014060939A1 true WO2014060939A1 (fr) 2014-04-24

Family

ID=47138120

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2013/059354 WO2014060939A1 (fr) 2012-10-15 2013-10-15 Unité de nettoyage pour rétroréflecteurs

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2909377B1 (fr)
IT (1) ITVI20120270A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2014060939A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3078776A1 (fr) * 2015-04-07 2016-10-12 Hans-Georg Glöckler Dispositif de nettoyage et/ou de revetement d'une balustrade ou d'une glissiere de securite

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108149619B (zh) * 2018-01-15 2019-09-13 重庆左岸环境服务股份有限公司 一种道路桥梁用清洁养护系统

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1034392B (it) 1975-03-18 1979-09-10 Colautto G Apparecchiatura semovente per la pulitura di segnaletica stradale e di guard rail
JPH01244005A (ja) 1988-03-23 1989-09-28 Osamu Takehara ガードレールメインテナンス用作業車
WO2011042577A1 (fr) 2009-10-05 2011-04-14 Oscar Pereira Cortes Machine pour le nettoyage de catadioptres et de glissières de sécurité

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1034392B (it) 1975-03-18 1979-09-10 Colautto G Apparecchiatura semovente per la pulitura di segnaletica stradale e di guard rail
JPH01244005A (ja) 1988-03-23 1989-09-28 Osamu Takehara ガードレールメインテナンス用作業車
WO2011042577A1 (fr) 2009-10-05 2011-04-14 Oscar Pereira Cortes Machine pour le nettoyage de catadioptres et de glissières de sécurité

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3078776A1 (fr) * 2015-04-07 2016-10-12 Hans-Georg Glöckler Dispositif de nettoyage et/ou de revetement d'une balustrade ou d'une glissiere de securite

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ITVI20120270A1 (it) 2014-04-16
EP2909377A1 (fr) 2015-08-26
EP2909377B1 (fr) 2016-09-14

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