Glass cleaning robot

Abstract

The invention relates to a glass cleaning robot, in particular a glass cleaning robot (1) for the inner face (3) of a vehicle glass (4), having a robot body (2), a cleaning element (20) fastened at the robot body and in the prescribed operation of the glass cleaning robot in contact with the inner face to be cleaned, and / or a sealing frame (8) surrounding a suction chamber (10) arranged in the prescribed operation of the glass cleaning robot between the robot body and the inner face to be cleaned, which is evacuated by means of a suction fan (12) of the glass cleaning robot. Furthermore, the glass cleaning robot has a pressure generating device (24). The cleaning element and / or the sealing frame are hollow and formed from a flexible material with a plurality of chambers (22) in fluid connection with one another and filled with a fluid. The pressure generating device is designed to increase the internal pressure value in the chambers filled with fluid in the prescribed operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a glass cleaning robot for the inner surface of vehicle glass. Background Technology

[0002] Glass cleaning robots are known in various designs. Generally, cleaning equipment used in car wash lines (sometimes called car washes) can also be considered cleaning robots. This equipment typically moves automatically relative to the vehicle via proximity sensors or similar monitoring mechanisms to clean the exterior. However, for vehicle glass, glass cleaning robots are also known, for example, from DE 102006 058 660 A1 and DE 10 2023 202 877 A1. DE 10 2023 202877 A1 is particularly concerned with placing the cleaning element against the arched (gewölbt, sometimes called sculpted) surface to be cleaned. Here, the glass cleaning robot has a conveying device that draws air from a vacuum chamber between the robot and the glass to be cleaned, thereby holding it in place at the glass. DE10 2006 058 660 A1 also describes alternative holding devices, such as by means of a magnetic plate arranged on the back side of the glass or a telescopic arm anchored beside the glass. In the case of DE 10 2006 058 660 A1, movement is achieved in particular by means of a drive wheel, and cleaning is achieved by means of a cleaning roller.

[0003] Vehicle windows, especially windshields, rear windows, and sometimes side windows, are often multiple, meaning they are arched around at least two axes. Therefore, in such cases, the surface to be cleaned is spherical, that is, approximately spherical, ellipsoidal, or convex or concave. For the use of glass cleaning robots, this means that the cleaning element must be flexible enough to follow the surface arches. Otherwise, the cleaning effect will be insufficient or multiple cleaning cycles will be required.

[0004] However, the same problem exists in glass cleaning robots that rely on negative pressure to maintain contact with vehicle windows. This is because a sealing lip is needed to create a negative pressure chamber between the glass cleaning robot and the vehicle window, in which the required negative pressure can be established, in particular, by drawing air out of the chamber using a fan. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is based on the objective of improving the adhesion of cleaning or sealing elements of glass cleaning robots to the glass of vehicles to be cleaned.

[0006] According to the invention, this task is accomplished by a glass cleaning robot with the features described below. Further advantageous and inventive embodiments and modifications of the invention are set forth in the following description.

[0007] The glass cleaning robot according to the invention is configured and arranged for cleaning the inner surface of vehicle glass. For this purpose, the glass cleaning robot has a robot body and at least one cleaning element, which is fastened to the robot body and contacts the inner surface to be cleaned during the prescribed operation of the glass cleaning robot. Additionally or alternatively, relative to the cleaning element, the glass cleaning robot has a sealing frame that surrounds a suction chamber arranged between the robot body and the inner surface to be cleaned during the prescribed operation of the glass cleaning robot, the suction chamber being evacuated by means of a fan of the glass cleaning robot. Furthermore, the glass cleaning robot has a pressure generating device. The cleaning element and / or the sealing frame are hollow and formed of a flexible material with a plurality of fluid-filled chambers that are fluidly connected to each other. The pressure generating device is configured to increase the internal pressure value in the fluid-filled chambers during the prescribed operation, thereby causing the cleaning element or sealing frame (especially better than a cleaning element or sealing element without the interaction with the pressure generating device) to abut or adhere tightly to the vehicle glass in the arched area.

[0008] According to one alternative embodiment, the pressure generating device has a pump by means of which fluid is delivered into and / or drawn from the chamber. In other words, the pump is used to increase or decrease the pressure value in the chamber by (supplementing) the delivery of fluid. Optionally, the pressure reduction may be additionally or alternatively carried out by means of a preferably operable valve, which forms an element of the pressure generating device.

[0009] According to a suitable embodiment, additionally or alternatively, the pressure generating device has a push rod. The push rod is externally and partially abuttable (or already abuttable) and pressable against the cleaning element or sealing frame. In other words, the pressure generating device can utilize the push rod to locally push against the cleaning element or sealing frame. This produces an effect similar to that in the case of an air cushion, where, on the one hand, pressure is increased within the cavity through locally restricted deformation, but on the other hand, deformation of the air cushion is also achieved at a location different from the site of localized force application.

[0010] According to another alternative embodiment, the pressure generating device has a lifting platform or lifting frame arranged between the cleaning element or sealing frame. The lifting platform or lifting frame is set up and configured to move the cleaning element or sealing frame toward the inside of the vehicle glass, particularly from a non-use position to a use position.

[0011] According to a suitable embodiment, the glass cleaning robot has a controller. The controller (preferably formed as a microcontroller or ASIC with associated memory and control software mounted thereon) is configured to control a pressure generating device. In other words, the controller manipulates the pressure generating device to increase or decrease the internal pressure value of the cleaning element or sealing frame.

[0012] As already indicated above, the cleaning element or sealing frame is preferably designed to resemble an air cushion. In particular, in this case, all chambers are fluidly connected to each other. Thus, the fluid (filling the chambers) can be redistributed within the cleaning element or sealing frame under pressure increases and / or external (local) loads (e.g., due to the bulging of the vehicle glass and / or local loads caused by means of a push rod), and thus locally adapted to the bulging of the vehicle glass.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment, the glass cleaning robot has a sensor device for detecting the surface camber (Oberflächenwölbung, sometimes referred to as surface curvature) of the vehicle glass. Here, the pressure generating device is preferably configured, under controller control, to set an internal pressure value according to different surface camber levels. Optionally, the controller is configured to either not operate the pressure generating device or only operate it to slightly increase the internal pressure when the vehicle glass is not cambered or only slightly cambered, and to operate it to increase the pressure to a relatively higher level when the vehicle glass is highly cambered. However, the corresponding pressure increase to be set can also be related to the design of the cleaning element or sealing frame, such as its corresponding chamber structure (especially the size and distribution of the fluid-filled chambers), so that if a reverse pressure increase is possible (i.e., a decrease in internal pressure in the case of relatively strongly cambered glass compared to relatively flat glass), it also causes the cleaning element or sealing frame to come into contact (press against) the glass. Therefore, the controller is configured to set a pressure value preferably just sufficient to cause deformation of the cleaning element or sealing frame in the direction toward the glass. Preferably, the corresponding characteristics (especially pressure values) of the cleaning element or sealing frame are simulated or empirically studied, and the characteristics are mapped (abbilden, sometimes called reproduced) in the controller using the corresponding stored pressure values ​​or derived models, so that the controller can perform corresponding operations. Thus, the cleaning element or sealing frame can be adapted to different arched areas of the vehicle glass as needed.

[0014] Alternatively, the cleaning element and the sealing frame are constructed as a single unit. In other words, the sealing frame performs the cleaning function, or conversely, the cleaning element performs the sealing function, in which case the cleaning element is implemented as a ring-shaped closure.

[0015] According to another suitable embodiment, the glass cleaning robot has a walking mechanism (e.g., a wheeled walking mechanism or a tracked walking mechanism) for moving the glass cleaning robot on the vehicle glass.

[0016] Here, the traveling mechanism is preferably arranged outside the sealed frame and inside the cleaning element. In the case of multiple cleaning elements, the traveling mechanism may also be arranged inside all the cleaning elements.

[0017] Here and in the following text, the conjunction “and / or” should be understood in particular as meaning that the features of the connection made by this conjunction can not only be constructed together, but can also be constructed as alternatives to each other. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein, schematically and exemplary: Figure 1 The glass cleaning robot is shown in a perspective top view. Figure 2 The glass cleaning robot is shown from below in a perspective view. Figure 3 The side view shows the glass cleaning robot in its non-use state, and Figure 4 According to Figure 3 The view shows the glass cleaning robot in operation.

[0019] Corresponding components always have the same reference numerals in all drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0020] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 The image shows a glass cleaning robot 1. The glass cleaning robot has a roughly pentagonal (especially a rectangle with added triangles) robot body 2, which operates under the lower side 6 (see image) during prescribed operation, i.e., while cleaning the inner surface of the vehicle glass 4. Figure 2 Facing the vehicle glass 4. At the lower side 6, a sealing frame 8 protrudes from the robot body 2, which laterally surrounds the suction cavity 10 during the prescribed operation, while the suction cavity 10 is covered on the upper side by the robot body 2 and limited on the lower side by the vehicle glass 4.

[0021] The glass cleaning robot 1 has an exhaust fan 12 configured to draw air from the suction chamber 10. This creates a negative pressure—more precisely, a reduced air pressure compared to ambient air pressure—in the suction chamber 10 during operation, causing the glass cleaning robot 1 to adhere to the vehicle glass 4. For movement, the glass cleaning robot 1 has a walking mechanism 18, here in the form of a tracked walking mechanism.

[0022] Furthermore, the glass cleaning robot 1 has multiple cleaning elements 20 (three in this case). These cleaning elements are arranged on the underside of the robot body 2. Since the vehicle glass 4 can be completely (especially in the case of the windshield and / or rear window) bent (arched) around both axes, linear rigid strips are unsuitable as carriers for the cleaning material (fabric), as they cannot rest against the inner surface of the vehicle glass 4 along their entire length. For this reason, the cleaning elements 20 of the glass cleaning robot 1, although designed to be linear or planar, are in any case designed to be flexible and made of a hollow elastic material (specifically, an elastomer). Furthermore, the cleaning elements 20 are filled with a fluid, such as a liquid. The hollow nature of the cleaning elements 20 is formed by multiple chambers 22 that are fluidly connected to each other (see [link to documentation]). Figure 4 (Cavity 22 is indicated by dashed lines). Here, the cleaning element 20 is substantially the same as a mat or a commonly used air cushion. Thus, liquid can move through and be displaced by the chamber 22. This allows the cleaning element 20 to be in close contact with the inner surface of the vehicle glass 4.

[0023] To assist or force the cleaning element 20 to adhere tightly to the vehicle glass 4, the glass cleaning robot 1 has a pressure generating device 24. In the presented embodiment, the pressure generating device is formed by a pump that is in fluid connection with a chamber 22 and can deliver liquid into or discharge liquid from the chamber 22. Thus, the pressure generating device 24 is configured to change the internal pressure value in the chamber 22. By increasing the internal pressure value, the cleaning element 20 protrudes further from the robot body 2 (see...). Figure 4 It can also fit better against the arched surface of the vehicle glass 4 than a cleaning strip that just touches the inside of the vehicle glass 4.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the pressure generating device 24 may also be designed as a hydraulic or pneumatic pump that applies pressure to a plurality of push rods, wherein at least one push rod acts locally on a corresponding cleaning element 20 (particularly locally restricted, i.e., on a surface smaller than the surface facing the push rod), thereby deforming the cleaning element and thus changing its internal pressure value. Here, the effect is again substantially the same as that of an air cushion, which deforms at other locations under locally restricted load.

[0025] The glass cleaning robot 1 also has a controller 30. The controller is configured to operate the walking mechanism 18 to move on the vehicle glass 4. In addition, the controller 30 is configured to operate the pressure generating device 24 to change the internal pressure value of the cleaning element 20. In principle, the controller 30 can be configured to trigger an increase in the internal pressure value of the cleaning element 20 when the glass cleaning robot 1 is activated for scheduled operation.

[0026] According to the same passage Figure 3 and Figure 4 In one alternative embodiment, the glass cleaning robot 1 has a sensing mechanism 40 (or sensor device), such as one or more laser scanners, and a controller 30 configured to determine the camber value of the vehicle glass 4 by means of the sensing mechanism, and to manipulate the pressure generating device 24 differently according to the camber value to increase the internal pressure value in the cleaning element 20. In particular, the internal pressure value is increased when the camber is particularly large, and decreased or not increased at all when the camber is small.

[0027] In the current embodiment, the cleaning element 20 is covered with a cleaning fabric equivalent to a window cleaning sponge. Optionally, the cleaning fabric and / or the corresponding entire cleaning element 20 are replaceable.

[0028] According to an embodiment not shown, the sealing frame 8 can be similarly flexible and hollow to the cleaning element 20, filled with liquid, and connected to the pressure generating device 24. Thus, the sealing frame 8 can also fit snugly against the arch of the vehicle glass 4, which improves the sealing effect and therefore improves the adhesion of the glass cleaning robot 1 to the vehicle glass 4. Furthermore, the sealing frame 8 can also be covered with a cleaning fabric to produce additional cleaning effects.

[0029] The scope of this invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, those skilled in the art can deduce other embodiments of the invention from the above description. In particular, individual features and design variations of the invention described according to different embodiments can also be combined with each other in other ways.

[0030] Reference number list 1. Glass cleaning robot 2. Robot Body 4. Vehicle glass 6. Lower side 8 Sealing frame 10 Suction Chamber 12 Exhaust fans 18. Walking mechanism 20 Cleaning components 2 chambers 24 Pressure generating device 30 Controllers 40. Sensor mechanism

Claims

1. A glass cleaning robot (1) for the inner surface (3) of a vehicle glass (4), which has - Robot body (2), - A cleaning element (20), which is fastened to the robot body (2) and contacts the inner surface (3) to be cleaned during the prescribed operation of the glass cleaning robot (1), and / or - A sealing frame (8) surrounds a suction chamber (10) of the glass cleaning robot (1) arranged between the robot body (2) and the inner surface to be cleaned during prescribed operation. The suction chamber is evacuated by means of a fan (12) of the glass cleaning robot (1). - Pressure generating device (24), in, The cleaning element (20) and / or the sealing frame (8) are hollow and formed of flexible material with multiple fluid-filled chambers (22) that are fluidly connected to each other. The pressure generating device (24) is configured to increase the internal pressure value in the fluid-filled chamber (22) during prescribed operation.

2. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The pressure generating device (24) has a pump by means of which fluid is delivered into and / or extracted from the chamber (22).

3. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The pressure generating device (24) has a push rod that can be partially abutted and pressed against the cleaning element (20) or the sealing frame (8) on the outside.

4. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The pressure generating device (24) has a lifting platform arranged between the cleaning element (20) or the sealing frame (8), and by means of the lifting platform, the cleaning element (20) or the sealing frame (8) can be moved toward the inner surface of the vehicle glass (4).

5. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the glass cleaning robot has a controller (30) configured to control the pressure generating device (24).

6. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the glass cleaning robot has a sensor device (40) for detecting the surface camber of the vehicle glass (4), wherein, The pressure generating device (24) is configured to set the internal pressure value according to the different surface camber.

7. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The cleaning element (20) or the sealing frame (8) is designed to resemble an air cushion, particularly in which all chambers (22) are fluidly connected to each other.

8. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the glass cleaning robot has a walking mechanism (18) for moving the glass cleaning robot (1) on the vehicle glass (4).

9. The glass cleaning robot (1) according to claim 8, wherein, The walking mechanism (18) is arranged outside the sealing frame (9) and inside the cleaning elements (20), especially within a plurality of cleaning elements (20).

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