WO2003001955A1

WO2003001955A1 - Building cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2003001955A1
Application number: PCT/SG2002/000131
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fook Seng Choy; Tsung Yong Chek; Wei Chet Yip; Kok Eng Boon; Hong Choon New; Eng Chuan Lee; Hong Guan Sim; Chee Hou Ngoh; Yvonne Koh; Seu Lung Loy
Original assignee: EFFICIENCY CLEANING SERVICES Pte Ltd
Current assignee: EFFICIENCY CLEANING SERVICES Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-27
Filing date: 2002-06-26
Publication date: 2003-01-09
Anticipated expiration: 2003-12-27
Also published as: CN1464781A

Abstract

An automated cleaning apparatus which can be incorporated into existing building cleaning gondolas. The apparatus consists of a cleaning means such as a brush (11C) and water jet (12) mounted to a slider (7A) which is moveable towards and away from a building surface. The slider (7A) is then mounted on a further slider (9A) moveable along an axis across the building surface and being mounted to a frame (1). The frame (1) is moveable relative to the building surface and may incorporate either its own drive means to do this or it may more preferably be mounted on an existing building cleaning gondola. A control box (17) operates the respective drives of the sliders (7A,9A) to actuate the cleaning means in a suitable manner. The apparatus may be programmed to automatically operate a cleaning routine. The cleaning means includes sensors (6A,6A',6B,6B',8A,8A',8B,8B') to detect its proximity to the surface being cleaned and other sensors are present to identify the position of the cleaning means relative to the frame.

Description

BUILDING CLEANING APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to cleaning apparatus, more particularly to apparatus for the remotely controlled cleaning of buildings. It will be convenient to describe the invention with particular reference to the remote-controlled cleaning of walls and windows of high-rise buildings although, it should be appreciate that the invention may have wider application.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

The traditional way of cleaning high-rise building manually can be a hectic and dangerous job. For many years, the cleaning of the external walls of buildings has been done manually/often by 2 to 3 workers operating in a gondola, and with a number of other workers being deployed on the ground as well as on the top of the building to provide support and control functions. Therefore, it often requires at least 5 workers to complete the task in several days. Such process is time consuming and frequently incurs high labour cost. Moreover, the lives of the cleansing workers are at risk as they might fall off the gondola while performing the cleaning operation. Hence, there is a demand for an efficient, cost effective and safer cleaning system from the cleaning industry. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative to the manual cleaning operation presently utilised. It is a further object to reduce the time taken for the cleaning of the exterior of a building, to save labour costs, to make the cleaning operation safer and/or to make the cleaning operation generally more efficient. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an automated cleaning apparatus which can be incorporated into existing building gondolas without requiring excessive modification to such gondolas, and thus minimising costs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a remotely operable building cleaning apparatus for cleaning of a building surface comprising: a frame; cleaning means; first drive means on said frame for moving said cleaning means along a first axis across said building surface; second drive means on said frame for moving said cleaning means along a second axis toward and away from said building surface; said frame being moveable relative to said building surface by third drive means; and control means to remotely operate at least said first and second drive means.

The cleaning apparatus is preferably capable of cleaning relatively planar building surfaces such as exterior building glass, masonry or metal surfaces, although the invention may also be useful in cleaning textured building surfaces such as rough-cast concrete, stucco, render or other surfaces having same degree of texture or roughness. The cleaning apparatus may be adapted to clean building surfaces such as window ledges, sills and mullions, as well as normal building surfaces which present straight forward outward faces such as vertically disposed windows.

The building cleaning apparatus includes a frame to which some other components of the apparatus are mounted. The frame is moveable relative to the building surface by virtue of a third drive means. In a preferred embodiment, the third drive means may be a conventional building cleaning gondola which has already been installed on an existing building. In this embodiment, the frame of the building cleaning apparatus of the present invention may be mounted to the gondola, so that the movement of the building cleaning apparatus relative to the building surface is effected by moving the gondola relative to the building surface. In this embodiment, the gondola and associated drive mechanisms will have already been installed in the building. Therefore, such infrastructure can be used with little modification to incorporate the present invention to provide an automated building cleaning system. Preferably, the pre-existing controls of the gondola are modified so that they, can be activated with the control means for the present invention, although it will be appreciated that the gondola control means need not necessarily be so modified. By providing a remotely operable building cleaning apparatus of the present invention which can simply be mounted to an existing gondola, the costs to convert to an automated cleaning system can be minimised. Alternatively, and especially for new buildings, the present invention may be modified to incorporate its own third drive means to move the frame relative to the building surface.

The building cleaning apparatus includes cleaning means. Preferably, the cleaning means incorporates 2 or more cleaning aids to perform a particular cleaning function. For example, the cleaning aids may incorporate a liquid spray means such as a high pressure water jet or a spray means for spraying a stream of liquid detergent. In one embodiment the liquid spray means may incorporate both a high pressure water jet and a detergent spray so that the liquid spray means can perform both a detergent application phase where the detergent spray may operate either with or without the high pressure water spray, and the rinsing operation may be performed solely by the high pressure water spray. The cleaning means may further include a tactile cleansing means which comes into contact with the building surface to be cleaned. Preferably the tactile cleansing means is a brush having an elongate axis. Alternatively or in addition, the tactile cleansing means may comprise a sponge, cloth, pile such as lambswool or other tactile cleansing means which is capable of wiping, abrading or otherwise dislodging accumulated dirt from the building surface to be cleaned. The cleaning means may also further include a vacuum suction system for the control of water flow and undesirable water splashing effect.

When the tactile cleansing means comprises a brush having an elongate axis, preferably the axis of said brush is substantially perpendicular to the first axis so that when the cleansing means is moved along said first axis with the brush in contact with the building surface, an elongate strip of the building surface along the first axis is contacted by the brush. While the brush will preferably have an array of bristles aligned substantially parallel with the second axis, there may include additional arrays of bristles substantially perpendicular to the second axis. Such additional bristle arrays may be used to clean ledges, sills, overhangs or columns adjacent to major building surfaces such as windows.

Optionally, the building cleaning apparatus may further include rinsing means, such as a water jet as previously discussed above and may include additional cleaning aids such as a drying means. A drying means may comprise a flexible drying blow such as a squeegee and/or an air jet or any other suitable drying means.

Preferably the two or more cleaning aids are integrally disposed on the cleaning means. In a preferred embodiment the liquid spray means is integral with a brush so that liquid can be sprayed onto the building surface proximate the action of the brush to enhance the cleaning operation. Such integral positioning also allows the first and second drive means to operate more than one cleaning aid, thus reducing the complexity and cost of the apparatus.

The building cleaning apparatus preferably also includes a sensor means to detect the proximity of the cleaning means to the building surface along the second axis, in other words how close towards or away from the building surface the cleaning means is positioned. Preferably, the sensor means is provided such that the cleaning brush is kept within a desired contact range on the building surface to ensure an appropriate cleaning contact intensity.

Preferably, the cleaning means is mounted moveably along the second axis on the second drive means comprising a carriage and wherein the carriage is moveable relative to the cleaning apparatus along the first axis. The drive means may alternatively consist of a telescopically extendable arm, along a track either slidably on bearings or otherwise. Similarly, the carriage may be moveable along first said axis in a number of ways although preferably the carriage is either slidably movable or moveable on bearings on a track. The drive means in such embodiment includes means for moving the carriage along the first axis or for moving the cleaning means along the second axis and may be any suitable arrangement such as by a belt or screw drive system, a rack and pinion arrangement, a hydraulic piston, a pad agraphic or actuating arm or the like. Preferably, there are provided one or more sensors along the first axis and/or the second axis to determine the degree of travel of the cleaning means and/or the carriage along the respective axes. The sensors may act to convey to a programmable logic controller the position of the cleaning means for proper control of a reciprocating cleaning cycle.

Preferably, when the cleaning means is moved by the first and/or second drive means relative to the building surface, the frame remains relatively stationary to the building surface.

The cleaning apparatus preferably also includes a programmable logic controller to receive and process sensory input from one or more sensors, to be programmed with selected data from a worker and to control activation of the respective drive means to operate the cleaning means to complete satisfactory cleaning of the building surface.

It will now be convenient to describe the invention with reference to a preferred embodiment shown in the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawing and following description relate to a preferred embodiment only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building cleaning apparatus made in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG.1 , building cleaning apparatus of the present invention is generally of a gondola configuration and includes a frame (1 ), mounting plate (2A) secured to the frame (1), a plurality of supporting bars (2B), x-axis positioning unit with drive (3A), x-axis positioning unit without drive (3B), x-axis sliders mounting plate (4A), x-axis sliders (4B), y- axis positioning unit with drive (5), x-axis proximity sensors (6A, 6A' & 6B, 6B'), y-axis slider (7A), stopper (7B), y-axis proximity sensors (8A, 8A' & 8B, 8B'), y-axis flexible touch-type proximity sensor (8C) supported by an adjustable profile bar ( ? ), y-axis motor (9A), x-axis motor (9B), speed reducer (9C) connected with a coupling (9D), pull-type solenoids (10), spring-return trigger bar (14), y-axis spray gun supporting plate (11 A), solenoid mounting fixture (11 B), cleaning brush (11C), spray gun (12) with trigger (13), main control box (15A) with indicating lights (15B), isolator or on-off switch (15C), power connector (15D), sensor control box (16) and console (17).

All the components are mounted onto the profile plate (2A), which in turn is mounted to the profile frame (1 ). Preferably the profile plate (24) and profile frame (1 ) are made from aluminium, although any other suitable material may be used. The x-axis positioning units (3A & 3B) are supported by profile supporting plates (2B) to a certain height to accommodate the x-axis speed reducer (9C).

Preferably frame (1 ) is mounted on or secured to a gondola (not shown) of an existing building. The dimensions of frame (1), stroke lengths of drives and positioning of sensors will be set or adjusted appropriately for the gondola. The x-axis motor (9B) and the speed reducer (9C) with coupling (9C) are assembled in line with the x-axis positioning unit (3A). Two proximity sensors (6A' & 6B') are attached to the extreme left and right ends of the x-axis positioning unit (3A) with another two inner proximity sensors (6A & 6B) being adjusted according to the required working stroke length of the cleaning operation. The x-axis positioning unit without drive (3B) acts as a supporting guide for the horizontal movement. The y-axis positioning unit (5) is mounted onto an x-axis sliders mounting plate (4A) which is in turn mounted on the two x-axis sliders (4B).

The spray gun (12) and the solenoid mounting fixture (11 B) are assembled together and mounted onto the y-axis slider (7A). The y-axis motor (9A) is attached directly to the y-axis positioning unit (9A). The stopper (7B) is fixed to the side of the y-axis slider (7A) to activate the two inner proximity sensors (8A & 8B) which are pre-adjusted according to the stroke length required for the forward and backward movements of the spray gun before the cleaning operation.

Two outer sensors (8A' & 8B') are mounted at the extreme ends of the y-axis positioning unit (5). The flexible touch-type proximity sensor (8C), which is being mounted onto the y- axis spray gun support plate (11 A), will switch off the motor (9A) to stop the brush from advancing forward once the brush (1 1 C) followed by the flexible sensor tip have touched the wall/glass surface of the building to be cleaned. However, the motor (9A) will be switched on automatically if the tip of the sensor (1 1 C) were to lose contact with the wall/glass surface should the gondola swing away from the wall/glass. The purpose of this flexible touch-type proximity sensor (11 C) is to ensure that the brush is always in contact with the wall/glass at pre-adjusted distance during the entire cleaning operation.

The sensor control box (16) is attached to the profile frame (1). The console (17) and the sensor control box (16) are wired to the main control box (15A) for controlling the machine remotely. The whole machine structure, including the main control box (15A), are preferably placed into the gondola. A power connector (15D) is connected to a power supply. As is known with manual building cleaning gondolas, there will be motor drives and cables to lower and raise the gondola and an arrangement to move the gondola around the building. The present invention will incorporate such conventional arrangements which have not been shown in the drawing. Switches for the motor drives of the gondola may be wired to the main control box (15A). A water hose from the top of the building is to be connected to the inlet of a water pump, and the outlet of the water pump is to be connected to the spray gun (12) by another water hose. Only the spray gun (12) has been shown in the drawing.

To begin with the cleaning operation, the power supply and the isolator (15C) of the machine will have to be switched on first. The operator must also ensure that the water tap is turned on before switching on the water pump. If brushing of wall/glass is required, the operator must ensure that the detergent suction tube of the water pump is fully inserted into the detergent container. At this juncture, the operator shall be able to control the entire cleaning process by pressing the appropriate buttons on the console (17). The PLC programme shall be written to control the motion in the sequence as described below:

First, the gondola will have to be raised to the highest level, of the building by pressing the "Gondola Up" button. The automatic cleaning process with water jet and brush can be activated by pressing the "Auto Down (with brush)" button. By doing so, the y-axis motor (9A) will be activated to move the brush (11C) and the spray gun (12) forward, that is, towards the wall/glass. The motor (9A) will stop once the brush (1 1 C) followed by the tip of the flexible touch-type proximity sensor (8C) touch the wall/glass surface. Following that, the solenoids (10) will be energised to trigger the spray gun (12). With the tip of the brush (11C) being manually preset to compress by about 2 to 3 cm against the cleaning surface, the x-axis motor (9B) will be activated to move the brush (11 C) and the spray gun (14) from left to right and the cleaning operation thus begins. When the x-axis slider (4B) hits the inner proximity sensor (6B) at the other end to stop and reverse the direction of rotation of the x-axis motor (9B), the cleaning unit comprising of the spray gun and brush will retard, stop and then reverse its direction of cleaning towards its original start position on the left. The x-axis motor (9B) followed by the cleaning unit will stop once the slider (4B) hits the inner sensor (6A) at the position where the motion started. The solenoids (10) will then de- energize to cut off the water supply to save water and detergent. Following that, the y-axis motor (9A) will be activated to retract the spray gun (12) and brush (11C) away from the wall/glass surface. The motor (9A) will stop once the slider (7A) hits the inner sensor (8A) and the gondola motors (not shown) will be activated to lower the machine to a lower level for the next cycle of cleaning operation. The automatic cleaning process with water jet only (without brush) can be activated by pressing the "Auto Down (water jet only)" button. By doing so, the y-axis motor (9A) will be activated to move the spray gun (12) forward, that is, towards the wall/glass. The motor (9A) will stop once the stopper (7B) hits the proximity sensor (8B) which is pre-adjusted to allow a distance of about 50 cm between the spray gun nozzle and the wall/glass. Following that, the solenoids (10) will be energized immediately to trigger the spray gun (12). The x- axis motor (9B) will then be activated to move the spray gun (14) from left to right and the cleaning operation thus begins. When the x-axis slider (4B) hits the inner proximity sensor (6B) at the other end to stop and reverse the direction of rotation of the x-axis motor (9B), the spray gun will retard, stop and reverse its direction of cleaning towards its originally starting position on the left. The x-axis motor (9B) followed by the spray gun will stop once the slider (4B) hits the inner sensor (6A) at the position where the motion started. The solenoids (10) will then de-energize to cut off the water supply to save water. Following that, the gondola motors will be activated to lower the machine to a lower level for the next cycle of cleaning operation.

The number of cleaning cycles to be performed at each level will depend on the state of the cleanliness and the condition of the surfaces to be cleaned. If more than one cleaning cycle is required, the PLC can be programmed to allow an appropriate number of repeating cleaning cycle at the same level before the gondola is signalled to descend to the next lower level of cleaning operation. The cleaning machine can also be operated manually by pressing the appropriate buttons on the console (17). These include the "X-LEFT" button for moving the cleaning unit towards the left, "X-RIGHT" button for moving the cleaning unit towards the right, "Y-FRONT" button for moving the cleaning unit forward, "Y-BACK" button for moving the cleaning unit backward, "GON-UP" button to move the gondola up by one level, "GON-DOWN" button to move the gondola down by one level, "STOP" button to stop the machine at a particular operation, and an Emergency button to stop all operations at once in time of emergency.

Claims

It is to be understood that various modifications, additives and/or alterations may be made from the configuration previously described without departing from the ambit of the present invention. For example, the main control box and/or console may be located remote from the building cleaning apparatus within the building or elsewhere, and communicates with the apparatus by cable or wireless communication means. The apparatus may in such configuration include a video monitoring camera and/or other sensory input apparatus so that a remotely located operator can monitor the progress of the cleaning operation.THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus for cleaning of a building surface comprising: a frame; cleaning means; first drive means on said frame for moving said cleaning means along a first axis across said building surface; second drive means on said frame for moving said cleaning means along a second axis toward and away from said building surface; said frame being moveable relative to said building surface by third drive means; control means to remotely operate at least said first and second drive means.

2. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said cleaning means incorporates two or more cleaning aids selected from liquid spray means, tactile cleansing means, rinsing means, and drying means.

3. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said liquid spray means may comprise water spray jet and/or detergent spray means.

4. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claims 2 or 3 wherein said tactile cleansing means comprises a brush having an elongate axis.

5. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the elongate axis of said brush is substantially perpendicular to said first axis.

6. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein said two or more cleaning aids are integrally disposed on said cleaning means.

7. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein there is provided sensor means to detect the proximity of said cleaning means to said building surface along said second axis.

8. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said cleaning means is mounted moveably along said second axis upon a carriage, said carriage being moveable relative to said cleaning apparatus along said first axis.

9. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claim 8 wherein there are provided sensors along first axis to determine the degree of travel of said carriage along said first axis.

10. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claim 8 or 9 wherein said carriage is moveably mounted along said first axis upon a first carriage support.

11. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said carriage is additionally mounted moveably along said first axis upon a second carriage support.

12. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said first carriage support includes said first device means for moving said carriage along said first axis.

13. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus wherein said first axis is substantially horizontal.

14. A remotely operable building cleaning apparatus wherein said second axis is substantially normal to the building surface.