WO2016085330A2 - Cleaning system for a façade of a building structure - Google Patents

Cleaning system for a façade of a building structure Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016085330A2
WO2016085330A2 PCT/NL2015/050776 NL2015050776W WO2016085330A2 WO 2016085330 A2 WO2016085330 A2 WO 2016085330A2 NL 2015050776 W NL2015050776 W NL 2015050776W WO 2016085330 A2 WO2016085330 A2 WO 2016085330A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cleaning system
frame
building structure
centrally positioned
cables
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2015/050776
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2016085330A3 (en
Inventor
Daniël DE ZEEUW
Stefanus Antonius Johannes SPANJER
Koen ZEGGELAAR
Original Assignee
Metiss B.V.
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 Metiss B.V. filed Critical Metiss B.V.
Publication of WO2016085330A2 publication Critical patent/WO2016085330A2/en
Publication of WO2016085330A3 publication Critical patent/WO2016085330A3/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B1/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
    • B08B1/10—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools characterised by the type of cleaning tool
    • B08B1/12—Brushes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B1/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools
    • B08B1/10—Cleaning by methods involving the use of tools characterised by the type of cleaning tool
    • B08B1/14—Wipes; Absorbent members, e.g. swabs or sponges
    • B08B1/143—Wipes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/02—Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B3/024—Cleaning by means of spray elements moving over the surface to be cleaned
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25J—MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES
    • B25J9/00—Programme-controlled manipulators
    • B25J9/003—Programme-controlled manipulators having parallel kinematics
    • B25J9/0078—Programme-controlled manipulators having parallel kinematics actuated by cables
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04G—SCAFFOLDING; FORMS; SHUTTERING; BUILDING IMPLEMENTS OR AIDS, OR THEIR USE; HANDLING BUILDING MATERIALS ON THE SITE; REPAIRING, BREAKING-UP OR OTHER WORK ON EXISTING BUILDINGS
    • E04G23/00—Working measures on existing buildings
    • E04G23/002—Arrangements for cleaning building facades

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cleaning system for a fagade of a building structure, comprising a frame carrying at least one brush, suspension cables for suspending the frame and optionally pulling cables connected to and extending to the frame from below it, wherein further optionally a water supply line is connected to the frame coming from above or from below the frame.
  • Such a cleaning system is for instance known from US patent US-B-7, 972 , 446, from EP 2 623 886, and from CN
  • the known cleaning system enables cleaning of relatively flat surfaces without the use of personnel at the spe- cific site of cleaning. It can be fully automated, yet it can also be operated in full manual or semiautomatic configuration by a single operator positioned on top of the building struc ⁇ ture.
  • One of the disadvantages of this known cleaning system is that it cannot be suitably applied with building structures having irregular facades, nor does it pay particular attention to the cleaning of such facades near the vertical edges of the building structure.
  • any of the dis- cussed features can be singly applied in a cleaning system according to the preamble without any of the other features mentioned herein, although there may be additional advantages available when certain features of the invention are jointly applied. All in all the respective independent features of the invention as mentioned and discussed herein are part of the same and single inventive thought, yet the applicant considers that independent protection is warranted when any of the discussed features is singly applied without combining same with any of the other features of the invention.
  • the frame comprises a centrally positioned body which in use extends vertically and wherein said brush or brushes are mounted on opposite sides to said centrally positioned body such that each brush has a sin- gle end mounted to the body, and that the suspension cables connect to the centrally positioned body at or near an upper extremity of said body, and the optional pulling cables connect to the centrally positioned body at or near a lower extremity of said body.
  • the centrally positioned body is provided with an upper loop shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the suspension cables, wherein said suspen- sion cables are enabled to shift along said upper loop, and that optionally the centrally positioned body is provided with a lower loop shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the pulling cables, wherein said pulling cables are enabled to shift along said lower loop.
  • the system comprises a left suspension cable and a right suspension cable as well as a left pulling cable and a right pulling cable, wherein the left suspension cable and the right suspension cable are mounted to the centrally positioned body at a predefined first distance from each other, and the left pulling cable and the right pulling cable are mounted to the centrally positioned body at a predefined second distance from each other.
  • One of the issues to address in designing a cleaning system for a fagade of a building structure is to ensure that the cleaning system constantly contacts said fagade.
  • Such contact between the cleaning system and the fagade of a building structure is appropriately achieved by arranging that the frame has multiple adjacent connecting points for the suspension cables and the pulling cables respectively, which connecting points are positioned in a plane that during use extends away from the building structure.
  • This feature which can be applied independent from any of the other features of the invention or in combination therewith, can be further support ⁇ ed by arranging that the frame is provided with one or more blowers for providing the frame -during use- with a thrusting force towards the building structure. These blowers can also be applied independently, that is to say without combining it with connecting points that are positioned in a plane that during use extends away from the building structure.
  • the frame is provided with supporting wheels adjacent to the brushes. This promotes a reliable and predictable contact force with which the brush or brushes contact the fagade of the building structure.
  • the supporting wheels are fixedly mounted to the frame. It is however preferred that the supporting wheels are adjustable in distance with respect to the frame. In this way it is easily possible to adjust the clean ⁇ ing intensity by which the brush or brushes act on the fagade of the building structure.
  • the sup ⁇ porting wheels have an outer circumference that is flexible. This enables that the shape of the wheels can automatically accommodate to the external shape of the fagade of the build- ing structure.
  • said supporting wheels have a soft cloth covering their outer circumference for contact with the building structure. This promotes the manoeuvrability of the supporting wheels with reference to the building structure.
  • a soft cloth can be suitably provided with cleaning properties, particularly when embodied with mi- crofibers. In such case the application of a water supply can be dispensed with.
  • the supporting wheels are preferably swivable with reference to the frame.
  • the brushes are mounted on an arm of the frame which is pivotably mounted to the frame.
  • the pivotable arm provides an effective tool in passing irregularities in the surface of the fagade of the building structure to be cleaned.
  • the arm is provided with a counterbalance to avoid any preferential position of the brushes with reference to the frame.
  • the arm is preferably spring-loaded with reference to the frame and is optionally provided with a damper.
  • the damper can be suitably applied to cancel undesired vibrations.
  • the arm is motor driven.
  • the motor also acts as counterbalance.
  • the motor can also be positionable along the arm to make most effective use of its function as counterbalance.
  • One of the aspects of the invention is the improved versatility comparing to cleaning systems according to the prior art.
  • the cleaning system of the invention is embodied such that the brush or brushes are selectable to be mounted in the frame vertically or horizontally such that they extend parallel respectively perpendicular to the centrally positioned body.
  • the cleaning system of the invention can easily accommodate to an assorted variety of irregularities in the surface of the building structure, be it for instance either horizontal sunshades or vertical sun- shades. Needless to say that also this feature can be applied independent from any of the other features of the invention or in combination therewith.
  • the versatility of the cleaning system of the invention even goes to the extent that it is possible that a single brush is applied sharing its longitudinal body axis with the longitudinal body axis of the pivotable arm. In this manner the cleaning system of the invention can even be applied with irregularities in the surface of the facade of the building structure in which only a little space remains available be- tween these irregularities.
  • a suitable arrangement is that the water supply line is guided by a guide wheel near an edge on top of the building structure, and that the position of said guide wheel along the edge of the building structure is controlled so as to maintain the water supply line predominantly vertical between said guide wheel and the frame during movement of said frame along the fagade of the building structure.
  • the cleaning system comprises a gutter positioned at the foot of the building structure. This makes it easy collecting the filthy water dripping from the building structure for reuse or disposal.
  • At least one of the suspen- sion cables for suspending the frame and/or at least one of the pulling cables connected to and extending to the frame from below it is arranged for transportation of water and/or electricity. This avoids that separate lines for water and/or electricity are to be used.
  • the invention is also embodied in a method for cleaning an object, such as a fagade of a building structure with a cleaning system according to the invention, wherein in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first lowest position to a second highest posi- tion and returned to its first lowest position wherein the brush or brushes have opposite rotational directions during upward movement and downward movement in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other.
  • the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first leftmost position to a second rightmost position and re- turned to its first leftmost position wherein the brush or brushes have opposite rotational directions during horizontal movement to the right and subsequent horizontal movement to the left in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other.
  • the method of the invention can also be applied in reversed sense in that in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first rightmost position to a second leftmost position and returned to its first rightmost position wherein the brush or brushes have opposite rotational directions during horizontal movement to the left and subsequent horizontal movement to the right in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other.
  • -figure 1 shows a cleaning system according to the invention applied to a fagade of a relatively narrow building structure
  • -figure 2 shows a cleaning system according to the invention applied to a fagade of a relatively broad building structure
  • -figure 4.0 shows a side view of an embodiment of the cleaning system of the invention
  • FIG. 4.1 shows a supporting wheel with a flexible outer circumference
  • FIG 1 shows the cleaning system of the invention when a applied to the fagade of a relatively shallow building structure
  • figure 2 shows the same cleaning system when applied to the fagade of a relative- ly broad building structure.
  • the cleaning system of the invention comprises a frame 2 carrying at least one brush 3, 4, suspension cables 5, 6 for suspending the frame 2 and pulling cables 7, 8 connected to and extending to the frame from below it.
  • the figures 1 and 2 also show the optional feature of applying a water supply line 9 which can be either connected to the frame 2 coming from above (as is shown) or alternatively may come from below the frame.
  • a water supply line 9 which can be either connected to the frame 2 coming from above (as is shown) or alternatively may come from below the frame.
  • both the suspension cables 5,6 and the pulling cables 7, 8 are guided and op- erated through winches which are collectively denoted with reference 10.
  • Figure 2 depicts one of the features of the invention that particularly applies when applying the cleaning system of the invention is applied for cleaning a relatively broad building structure 1, although it is not limited to only this application.
  • the water supply line is guided by a guide wheel 11 near an edge on top of the building structure 1, and that the position of said guide wheel 11 along the edge of the building structure 1 is controlled with a motor 22 so as to maintain the water supply line 9 predominantly vertical between said guide wheel 11 and the frame 2 during movement of said frame 2 along the fagade of the building structure 1.
  • a guide wheel 11 with a controllable position is also applied with the more narrow building structure 1 as shown in figure 1.
  • Figure 3.0 provides an overview of several embodiments of the cleaning system of the invention in which the frame 2 is embodied with a centrally positioned body 12 which in use is extending vertically and wherein said brush or brushes 3, 4 are mounted on opposite sides to said centrally positioned body 12 such that each brush 3, 4 has a single end mounted to the body 12.
  • the suspension cables 5, 6 are connected to an upper extremity 12' of the centrally positioned body 12 and the pulling cables 7, 8 are connected to a lower extremity 12' ' of the centrally positioned body 12 as can be seen more clearly in the detailed views of figures 3.1 - 3.4.
  • the left suspension cable 6 and the right suspension cable 5 are mounted to the centrally positioned body 12 at connecting points 13', 13'' which are at a predefined first distance from each other, and the left pulling cable 8 and the right pulling cable 7 are mounted to the centrally positioned body 12 at connecting points 14', 14'' which are at a predefined second distance from each other.
  • said predefined first distance equates the said predefined second distance, and this embodiment differentiates from the embodiment of figure 3.1 in that said distances both differ from zero.
  • the predefined first distance between the connection points 13' , 13' ' of the suspension lines 5, 6 with the centrally positioned body 12 is approximately zero, whereas the said predefined second distance between the connection points 14', 14'' of the pulling lines 7, 8 is larger than ze- ro.
  • Figure 3.5 shows another embodiment in which the cen- trally positioned body 12 is provided with an upper loop 23 shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the suspension cables 5, 6, wherein said suspension cables 5, 6 are enabled to shift along said upper loop 23.
  • the centrally positioned body 12 is provided with a lower loop 24 shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the pulling cables 7, 8, wherein said pulling cables 7, 8 are enabled to shift along said lower loop 24.
  • the frame 2 is provided with one or more blowers 15 for providing the frame 2 during use with a thrusting force towards the building structure 1.
  • the swivable supporting wheels 16 shown in the figures 3.1 - 3.4 are provided with a balancing weight 16' ' to provide these wheels with a neutral position regarding the weight of the wheel. The position or angle at which these wheels are oriented is thus not dependent on the weight of the wheel when the centrally positioned body 12 of the frame is suspended from the suspension cables 5, 6.
  • Figure 5.1 shows an embodiment in which the arm 17 is spring-loaded with reference to the frame 2 using springs 18.
  • the springs can be completed with dampers, although this is not essential and only useful to cancel out undesired vibrations .
  • Figure 5.2 shows an embodiment in which the arm 17 is driven by a motor 19.
  • Figure 5.3 shows when the arm 17 is deflected to avoid for instance balconies or sunshades 20 of the building structure 1.
  • the brush or brushes 3, 4 are se- lectable to be mounted on or to the frame 2 vertically or horizontally such that they extend perpendicular to the centrally positioned body 12 as shown in figures 5.1 - 5.3 or parallel to the centrally positioned body 12 as shown in figure 6.1 and 6.2.
  • the arm 17 with the parallel mounted brush- es 3, 4 with reference to the centrally positioned body 12 is activated cleaning the facade of the building structure 1.
  • said arm 17 is deflected to avoid the irregularities 20 on the surface of the fagade of the building structure 1.
  • the manner of mounting the brushes 3, 4 is selected to ac- commodate a proper cleaning of the fagade of the building structure 1 depending on the exact locations and distances between said irregularities 20 on the surface of said fagade.
  • figure 7.1 depicts an embodiment in which a single brush 3 is applied sharing its longitudinal body axis with the longitudinal body axis of the pivotable arm 17.
  • This embodiment is particularly suited to clean the facade of a building structure having irregularities 20 that are relatively close to each other.
  • the cleaning system shown in figure 7.1 is shown with the arm 17 deflected to avoid said irregularities 20 on the fagade of the building structure 1.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

Cleaning system for a façade of a building structure, comprising a frame carrying at least one brush, suspension cables for suspending the frame and pulling cables connected to and extending to the frame from below it, wherein further a water supply line is connected to the frame coming from above or from below the frame, and wherein the frame is embodied with a centrally positioned body which in use is extending vertically and wherein said brush or brushes are mounted to said centrally positioned body.

Description

Cleaning system for a fagade of a building structure
The invention relates to a cleaning system for a fagade of a building structure, comprising a frame carrying at least one brush, suspension cables for suspending the frame and optionally pulling cables connected to and extending to the frame from below it, wherein further optionally a water supply line is connected to the frame coming from above or from below the frame.
Such a cleaning system is for instance known from US patent US-B-7, 972 , 446, from EP 2 623 886, and from CN
101554892.
The known cleaning system enables cleaning of relatively flat surfaces without the use of personnel at the spe- cific site of cleaning. It can be fully automated, yet it can also be operated in full manual or semiautomatic configuration by a single operator positioned on top of the building struc¬ ture. One of the disadvantages of this known cleaning system is that it cannot be suitably applied with building structures having irregular facades, nor does it pay particular attention to the cleaning of such facades near the vertical edges of the building structure.
It is one of the objectives of the invention to provide a more versatile cleaning system which is capable to be applied with facades having an irregular surface.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a cleaning system which is capable to fully clean the entire facade of any building structure, also near its vertical edges.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide such a cleaning system with additional advantages and improvements over the prior art which will become apparent from the following disclosure.
In the following discussion of the features of the invention it is specifically pointed out that any of the dis- cussed features can be singly applied in a cleaning system according to the preamble without any of the other features mentioned herein, although there may be additional advantages available when certain features of the invention are jointly applied. All in all the respective independent features of the invention as mentioned and discussed herein are part of the same and single inventive thought, yet the applicant considers that independent protection is warranted when any of the discussed features is singly applied without combining same with any of the other features of the invention.
In one aspect of the invention the frame comprises a centrally positioned body which in use extends vertically and wherein said brush or brushes are mounted on opposite sides to said centrally positioned body such that each brush has a sin- gle end mounted to the body, and that the suspension cables connect to the centrally positioned body at or near an upper extremity of said body, and the optional pulling cables connect to the centrally positioned body at or near a lower extremity of said body. This feature makes possible that while the frame is moved along the facade of the building structure the brushes can without hindrance by the frame as is the case in the prior art, reach and clean the vertical edges of the building structure. This feature further provides effective possibilities to manoeuver the frame along the facade of the building structure, albeit that the following embodiments of this general constructional feature have specific advantages.
In one preferred embodiment the centrally positioned body is provided with an upper loop shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the suspension cables, wherein said suspen- sion cables are enabled to shift along said upper loop, and that optionally the centrally positioned body is provided with a lower loop shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the pulling cables, wherein said pulling cables are enabled to shift along said lower loop. This makes the construction and in particular the frame's centrally positioned body self- adjusting with reference to the facade of the building structure and avoids unintended rotation of the frame. A better cleaning operation will result therefrom.
In another preferred embodiment the system comprises a left suspension cable and a right suspension cable as well as a left pulling cable and a right pulling cable, wherein the left suspension cable and the right suspension cable are mounted to the centrally positioned body at a predefined first distance from each other, and the left pulling cable and the right pulling cable are mounted to the centrally positioned body at a predefined second distance from each other. These features also promote the ad ustability and maintenance of the orientation of the frame and the brushes with reference to the fagade of the building structure, resulting in a better cleaning operation.
Although theoretically it is possible to directly connect the suspension cables to the upper extremity of the centrally positioned body and to directly connect the pulling cables to the lower extremity of the centrally positioned body, better results are achieved to embody this construction such that said predefined first distance equates the said predefined second distance wherein said distances differ from zero. The manoeuvrability of the frame is then improved.
Even better results may be achieved when said predefined first distance is approximately zero, and the said predefined second distance is larger than zero resulting in a sort of triangular connection of the suspension and pulling cables to the frame.
Best results are achieved however when said predefined first and second distances are larger than zero, and said first distance is smaller than said second distance. This provides a so-called trapezium connection of the suspension and pulling cables to the frame.
One of the issues to address in designing a cleaning system for a fagade of a building structure is to ensure that the cleaning system constantly contacts said fagade. Such contact between the cleaning system and the fagade of a building structure is appropriately achieved by arranging that the frame has multiple adjacent connecting points for the suspension cables and the pulling cables respectively, which connecting points are positioned in a plane that during use extends away from the building structure. This feature which can be applied independent from any of the other features of the invention or in combination therewith, can be further support¬ ed by arranging that the frame is provided with one or more blowers for providing the frame -during use- with a thrusting force towards the building structure. These blowers can also be applied independently, that is to say without combining it with connecting points that are positioned in a plane that during use extends away from the building structure.
According to still another aspect of the invention which can be applied independent or in combination with the other features of the invention, the frame is provided with supporting wheels adjacent to the brushes. This promotes a reliable and predictable contact force with which the brush or brushes contact the fagade of the building structure.
In one embodiment the supporting wheels are fixedly mounted to the frame. It is however preferred that the supporting wheels are adjustable in distance with respect to the frame. In this way it is easily possible to adjust the clean¬ ing intensity by which the brush or brushes act on the fagade of the building structure.
To enable easy passing of irregularities in the fa¬ gade of the building structure it is beneficial that the sup¬ porting wheels have an outer circumference that is flexible. This enables that the shape of the wheels can automatically accommodate to the external shape of the fagade of the build- ing structure.
One further preferred feature is that said supporting wheels have a soft cloth covering their outer circumference for contact with the building structure. This promotes the manoeuvrability of the supporting wheels with reference to the building structure. Such a soft cloth can be suitably provided with cleaning properties, particularly when embodied with mi- crofibers. In such case the application of a water supply can be dispensed with.
To maintain a high level of manoeuvrability of the frame of the cleaning system of the invention, the supporting wheels are preferably swivable with reference to the frame.
In still another aspect of the invention which can be applied independently or in combination with any of the other features of the invention, it is proposed that the brushes are mounted on an arm of the frame which is pivotably mounted to the frame. The pivotable arm provides an effective tool in passing irregularities in the surface of the fagade of the building structure to be cleaned. Preferably the arm is provided with a counterbalance to avoid any preferential position of the brushes with reference to the frame.
To promote easy passing of such irregularities the arm is preferably spring-loaded with reference to the frame and is optionally provided with a damper. The damper can be suitably applied to cancel undesired vibrations.
In another suitable embodiment however the arm is motor driven. Suitably the motor also acts as counterbalance. The motor can also be positionable along the arm to make most effective use of its function as counterbalance.
One of the aspects of the invention is the improved versatility comparing to cleaning systems according to the prior art. In furtherance thereof the cleaning system of the invention is embodied such that the brush or brushes are selectable to be mounted in the frame vertically or horizontally such that they extend parallel respectively perpendicular to the centrally positioned body. In this way the cleaning system of the invention can easily accommodate to an assorted variety of irregularities in the surface of the building structure, be it for instance either horizontal sunshades or vertical sun- shades. Needless to say that also this feature can be applied independent from any of the other features of the invention or in combination therewith.
The versatility of the cleaning system of the invention even goes to the extent that it is possible that a single brush is applied sharing its longitudinal body axis with the longitudinal body axis of the pivotable arm. In this manner the cleaning system of the invention can even be applied with irregularities in the surface of the facade of the building structure in which only a little space remains available be- tween these irregularities.
In yet another aspect of the invention which can be applied independently or in combination with any of the other features of the invention and in which the water supply line is connected to the frame coming from above it, it is pre- ferred that the water supply line is guided by a guide wheel near or on the building structure, and that the position of said guide wheel along near or on the building structure is controlled so as to maintain the water supply line predominantly vertical between said guide wheel and the frame during movement of said frame along the fagade of the building struc¬ ture. By this feature undesired variation in the orientation or position of the cleaning system of the invention with reference to the building structure to be cleaned is effectively avoided.
A suitable arrangement is that the water supply line is guided by a guide wheel near an edge on top of the building structure, and that the position of said guide wheel along the edge of the building structure is controlled so as to maintain the water supply line predominantly vertical between said guide wheel and the frame during movement of said frame along the fagade of the building structure.
Preferably the cleaning system comprises a gutter positioned at the foot of the building structure. This makes it easy collecting the filthy water dripping from the building structure for reuse or disposal.
One further aspect of the invention which can be applied independently or in combination with any of the other features of the invention is that at least one of the suspen- sion cables for suspending the frame and/or at least one of the pulling cables connected to and extending to the frame from below it, is arranged for transportation of water and/or electricity. This avoids that separate lines for water and/or electricity are to be used.
The invention is also embodied in a method for cleaning an object, such as a fagade of a building structure with a cleaning system according to the invention, wherein in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first lowest position to a second highest posi- tion and returned to its first lowest position wherein the brush or brushes have opposite rotational directions during upward movement and downward movement in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other. This secures effective cleaning of all spots and cor- ners in the fagade of the building structure.
Particularly when it concerns large horizontally extending surfaces it is beneficial that in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first leftmost position to a second rightmost position and re- turned to its first leftmost position wherein the brush or brushes have opposite rotational directions during horizontal movement to the right and subsequent horizontal movement to the left in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other. Obviously the method of the invention can also be applied in reversed sense in that in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first rightmost position to a second leftmost position and returned to its first rightmost position wherein the brush or brushes have opposite rotational directions during horizontal movement to the left and subsequent horizontal movement to the right in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other.
The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention that is not limiting as to the appended claims .
In the drawing:
-figure 1 shows a cleaning system according to the invention applied to a fagade of a relatively narrow building structure;
-figure 2 shows a cleaning system according to the invention applied to a fagade of a relatively broad building structure;
-figure 3.0 shows several principles of connecting the suspension cables and pulling cables to the frame of the cleaning system of the invention;
-figures 3.1 - 3.5 provide more detailed views of the principles of connecting the suspension cables and pulling ca- bles to the frame of the cleaning system of the invention;
-figure 4.0 shows a side view of an embodiment of the cleaning system of the invention;
- figure 4.1 shows a supporting wheel with a flexible outer circumference;
-figures 5.1 - 5.3 show a side view of further embodiments of the cleaning system of the invention;
-figures 6.1 - 6.2 show a side view of still a further embodiment of the cleaning system of the invention; and
-figures 7.1 - 7.2 show a side view of yet another embodiment of the cleaning system of the invention.
Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.
Making reference first to figure 1 and figure 2, the general principles of a cleaning system for a fagade of a building structure are shown. Figure 1 shows the cleaning system of the invention when a applied to the fagade of a relatively shallow building structure, whereas figure 2 shows the same cleaning system when applied to the fagade of a relative- ly broad building structure.
The cleaning system of the invention comprises a frame 2 carrying at least one brush 3, 4, suspension cables 5, 6 for suspending the frame 2 and pulling cables 7, 8 connected to and extending to the frame from below it. The figures 1 and 2 also show the optional feature of applying a water supply line 9 which can be either connected to the frame 2 coming from above (as is shown) or alternatively may come from below the frame. In a manner that is known per se both the suspension cables 5,6 and the pulling cables 7, 8 are guided and op- erated through winches which are collectively denoted with reference 10.
In figure 1 wherein the cleaning system is mounted on a relatively shallow building structure 1, it suffices to provide a fixed position at the edge of the building structure 1 from which the water supply line 9 connects to the frame 2.
Figure 2 however depicts one of the features of the invention that particularly applies when applying the cleaning system of the invention is applied for cleaning a relatively broad building structure 1, although it is not limited to only this application. In figure 2 it is shown that the water supply line is guided by a guide wheel 11 near an edge on top of the building structure 1, and that the position of said guide wheel 11 along the edge of the building structure 1 is controlled with a motor 22 so as to maintain the water supply line 9 predominantly vertical between said guide wheel 11 and the frame 2 during movement of said frame 2 along the fagade of the building structure 1. There is however nothing that prevents that such a guide wheel 11 with a controllable position is also applied with the more narrow building structure 1 as shown in figure 1.
Figure 3.0 provides an overview of several embodiments of the cleaning system of the invention in which the frame 2 is embodied with a centrally positioned body 12 which in use is extending vertically and wherein said brush or brushes 3, 4 are mounted on opposite sides to said centrally positioned body 12 such that each brush 3, 4 has a single end mounted to the body 12. In each of these embodiments the suspension cables 5, 6 are connected to an upper extremity 12' of the centrally positioned body 12 and the pulling cables 7, 8 are connected to a lower extremity 12' ' of the centrally positioned body 12 as can be seen more clearly in the detailed views of figures 3.1 - 3.4.
In figure 3.1 the suspension cables 5, 6 are connect- ed at the same point 13 to the upper extremity 12' of the centrally positioned body 12, whereas the pulling cables 7, 8 are connected at the same point 14 to the lower extremity 12'' of the centrally positioned body 12.
In the embodiments shown in figures 3.2 - 3.4 the left suspension cable 6 and the right suspension cable 5 are mounted to the centrally positioned body 12 at connecting points 13', 13'' which are at a predefined first distance from each other, and the left pulling cable 8 and the right pulling cable 7 are mounted to the centrally positioned body 12 at connecting points 14', 14'' which are at a predefined second distance from each other. In figure 3.2 said predefined first distance equates the said predefined second distance, and this embodiment differentiates from the embodiment of figure 3.1 in that said distances both differ from zero. In the embodiment of figure 3.3 the predefined first distance between the connection points 13' , 13' ' of the suspension lines 5, 6 with the centrally positioned body 12 is approximately zero, whereas the said predefined second distance between the connection points 14', 14'' of the pulling lines 7, 8 is larger than ze- ro.
Finally in figure 3.4 is shown that said predefined first and second distances are each larger than zero, wherein said first distance between the connection points 13' , 13' ' of the suspension lines 5, 6 with the centrally positioned body 12 is smaller than said second distance between the connection points 14', 14'' of the pulling lines 7, 8 with the centrally positioned body 12.
Figure 3.5 shows another embodiment in which the cen- trally positioned body 12 is provided with an upper loop 23 shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the suspension cables 5, 6, wherein said suspension cables 5, 6 are enabled to shift along said upper loop 23. Likewise the centrally positioned body 12 is provided with a lower loop 24 shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the pulling cables 7, 8, wherein said pulling cables 7, 8 are enabled to shift along said lower loop 24.
In each of figures 3.1 - 3.5 it is shown that the frame 2 is provided with one or more blowers 15 for providing the frame 2 during use with a thrusting force towards the building structure 1. In a preferred embodiment the swivable supporting wheels 16 shown in the figures 3.1 - 3.4 are provided with a balancing weight 16' ' to provide these wheels with a neutral position regarding the weight of the wheel. The position or angle at which these wheels are oriented is thus not dependent on the weight of the wheel when the centrally positioned body 12 of the frame is suspended from the suspension cables 5, 6.
Turning now to figure 4.0 the feature is shown that the frame 2 has multiple adjacent connecting points 13 and 14 for the suspension cables 5, 6 and the pulling cables 7, 8 respectively, which connecting points 13, 14 are positioned in a plane that during use extends away from the building structure (not shown). Figure 4.0 further shows that the frame 2 is pro- vided with supporting wheels 16 adjacent to the brushes 3, 4. Preferably these supporting wheels 16 are adjustable in distance with respect to the frame 2. Further it is desirable that the supporting wheels 16 have an outer circumference 16' that is flexible as is shown in figure 4.1, and that these wheels 16 are provided on said circumference 16' with a soft cloth that during use may be in contact with the building structure 1. Figure 4 further shows that the supporting wheels 16 are swivable with reference to the frame 2.
With reference to figures 5.1 - 7.2 several embodi- ments of the cleaning system of the invention are shown in which the brushes 3, 4 are mounted on an arm 17 of the frame 2 which is pivotably mounted to the centrally positioned body 12 of the frame 2.
Figure 5.1 shows an embodiment in which the arm 17 is spring-loaded with reference to the frame 2 using springs 18. Optionally the springs can be completed with dampers, although this is not essential and only useful to cancel out undesired vibrations .
Figure 5.2 shows an embodiment in which the arm 17 is driven by a motor 19. Figure 5.3 shows when the arm 17 is deflected to avoid for instance balconies or sunshades 20 of the building structure 1.
In all embodiments the brush or brushes 3, 4 are se- lectable to be mounted on or to the frame 2 vertically or horizontally such that they extend perpendicular to the centrally positioned body 12 as shown in figures 5.1 - 5.3 or parallel to the centrally positioned body 12 as shown in figure 6.1 and 6.2. In figure 6.1 the arm 17 with the parallel mounted brush- es 3, 4 with reference to the centrally positioned body 12 is activated cleaning the facade of the building structure 1. In figure 6.2 said arm 17 is deflected to avoid the irregularities 20 on the surface of the fagade of the building structure 1. The manner of mounting the brushes 3, 4 is selected to ac- commodate a proper cleaning of the fagade of the building structure 1 depending on the exact locations and distances between said irregularities 20 on the surface of said fagade.
Also for the purpose to accommodate a proper cleaning of the fagade of the building structure 1 figure 7.1 depicts an embodiment in which a single brush 3 is applied sharing its longitudinal body axis with the longitudinal body axis of the pivotable arm 17. This embodiment is particularly suited to clean the facade of a building structure having irregularities 20 that are relatively close to each other. In figure 7.2 the cleaning system shown in figure 7.1 is shown with the arm 17 deflected to avoid said irregularities 20 on the fagade of the building structure 1.
Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to several exemplary embodiments of the cleaning system of the invention, the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments which can be further varied in many ways without departing from the gist of the in¬ vention. The discussed exemplary embodiments shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiments and the discussion offered with reference to these emotions is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims thereto. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using these exemplary embodiments .

Claims

1. Cleaning system for an object, such as a fa ade of a building structure (1), comprising a frame (2) carrying at least one brush (3, 4), suspension cables (5, 6) for suspending the frame (2) and optionally pulling cables (7, 8) con- nected to and extending to the frame (2) from below it, where¬ in optionally further a water supply line (9) is connected to the frame (2) coming from above or from below the frame (2), characterized in that the frame (2) comprises a centrally positioned body (12) which in use extends vertically and wherein said brush or brushes (3, 4) are mounted on opposite sides to said centrally positioned body (12) such that each brush (3, 4) has a single end mounted to the body (12), and that the suspension cables (5, 6) connect to the centrally positioned body (12) at or near an upper extremity (12') of said body (12), and the optional pulling cables (7, 8) connect to the centrally positioned body (12) at or near a lower extremity (12' ' ) of said body (12) .
2. Cleaning system according to claim 1, characterized in that the centrally positioned body (12) is provided with an upper loop (23) shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the suspension cables (5, 6) , wherein said centrally positioned body (12) and said suspension cables (5, 6) are self-adjusting by arranging that said suspension cables (5, 6) are able to shift along said upper loop (23) , and that option- ally the centrally positioned body (12) is provided with a lower loop (24) shaped as a part of a circle for connecting the pulling cables (7, 8), wherein said centrally positioned body (12) and said pulling cables (7, 8) are self-adjusting by arranging that said pulling cables (7, 8) are able to shift along said lower loop (24) .
3. Cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the system comprises a left suspension cable (6) and a right suspension cable (5) as well as a left pulling cable (8) and a right pulling cable (7), wherein the left sus- pension cable (6) and the right suspension cable (5) are mounted to the centrally positioned body (12) at a predefined first distance from each other, and the left pulling cable (8) and the right pulling cable (7) are mounted to the centrally positioned body (12) at a predefined second distance from each other .
4. Cleaning system according to claim 3, character- ized in that said predefined first distance equates the said predefined second distance, and which first and second distances differ from zero.
5. Cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that said predefined first distance is approximately zero, and the said predefined second distance is larger than zero .
6. Cleaning system according to claim 3, characterized in that said predefined first and second distances are larger than zero, and said first distance is smaller than said second distance.
7. Cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the frame (2) has multiple adjacent connecting points (13 resp. 14) for the suspension cables (5, 6) and the pulling ca- bles (7, 8) respectively, which connecting points (13 resp. 14) are positioned in a plane that during use extends away from the building structure (1).
8. Cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the frame (2) is provided with one or more blowers (15} for providing the frame (2) during use with a thrusting force towards the building structure (1).
9. Cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the frame (2) is provided with supporting wheels (16) adjacent to the brushes (3, 4).
10. Cleaning system according to claim 9, characterized in that the supporting wheels (16) are adjustable in distance with respect to the frame (2) .
11- Cleaning system according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that said supporting wheels (16) have an outer circumference (16') that is flexible.
12. Cleaning system according to any one of claims 9 - 11, characterized in that said supporting wheels (16) have a soft cloth covering their outer circumference (16') for contact with the building structure (1).
13. Cleaning system according to any one of claims 9
- 12, characterized in that the supporting wheels (16) are swivable with reference to the frame (2) .
14. Cleaning system according to any one of claims 9
- 13, characterized in that the swivable supporting wheels (16) are provided with a balancing weight (16''} to provide these wheels with a neutral position regarding the weight of the wheels (16) .
15. Cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 - 14, characterized in that the brushes (3, 4) are mounted on an arm (17) of the frame (2) which is pivotably mounted to the frame (2) .
16. Cleaning system according to claim 15, character ized in that the arm (17) is provided with a counterbalance (21) to avoid any preferential position of the brushes (3, 4) with reference to the frame (2) .
17. Cleaning system according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the arm (17) is spring-loaded with reference to the frame (2) by application of one or more springs (18) and is optionally provided with a damper.
18. Cleaning system according to any one of claims 1
- 17, characterized in that the arm (17) is motor (19) driven
19. Cleaning system according to claim 18, character ized in that the motor (19) also acts as counterbalance, and is positionable along the arm (17).
20. Cleaning system according to any one of claims 1
- 19, characterized in that the brush or brushes (3, 4) are selectable to be mounted in the frame (2) vertically or horizontally such that they extend parallel respectively perpendicular to the centrally positioned body (12).
21. Cleaning system according to claim 20, character ized in that a single brush (3) is applied sharing its longi- tudinal body axis with the longitudinal body axis of the pivotable arm (17).
22. Cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 - 21, characterized in that the water supply line (9) is guided by a guide wheel (11) near or on the building structure (1), and that the position of said guide wheel (11) along near or on the building structure (1) is controlled so as to maintain the water supply line (9) predominantly vertical between said guide wheel (11) and the frame (2) during movement of said frame (2) along the fagade of the building structure (1) .
23. Cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 - 22, characterized in that it comprises a gutter positioned at the foot of the building structure.
24. Cleaning system according to the preamble of claim 1 or according to any one of claims 1 - 23, characterized in that at least one of the suspension cables (5, 6) for suspending the frame (2) and/or at least one of the pulling cables (7, 8) connected to and extending to the frame (2) from below it, is arranged for transportation of water and/or electricity.
25. Method for cleaning an object, such as a fagade of a building structure with a cleaning system according to any one of the previous claims 1 - 24, wherein in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first lowest position to a second highest position and returned to its first lowest position wherein the brush or brushes (3, 4) have opposite rotational directions during up- ward movement and downward movement in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other.
26. Method for cleaning an object, such as a fagade of a building structure with a cleaning system according to any one of the previous claims 1 - 24, wherein in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first leftmost position to a second rightmost position and returned to its first leftmost position wherein the brush or brushes (3, 4) have opposite rotational directions during horizontal movement to the right and subsequent horizontal movement to the left in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other.
27. Method for cleaning an object, such as a facade of a building structure with a cleaning system according to any one of the previous claims 1 - 24, wherein in subsequent strokes the cleaning system is in each separate stroke moved from a first rightmost position to a second leftmost position and returned to its first rightmost position wherein the brush or brushes (3, 4) have opposite rotational directions during horizontal movement to the left and subsequent horizontal movement to the right in each such separate stroke, and that the subsequent strokes are parallel to each other.
PCT/NL2015/050776 2014-11-26 2015-11-09 Cleaning system for a façade of a building structure WO2016085330A2 (en)

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NL2013877A NL2013877B1 (en) 2014-11-26 2014-11-26 Cleaning system for a façade of a building structure.
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CN108265995A (en) * 2017-12-31 2018-07-10 北京品创智能科技有限公司 A kind of curtain cleaning equipment based on rope parallel technology
CN109865688A (en) * 2018-12-27 2019-06-11 首航国翼（武汉）科技有限公司 A kind of solar light-heat power-generation reflecting mirror cleaning systems
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