Automated, IoT-based glass cleaning robot with dual suction and wet / dry cleaning mechanism

Abstract

Automated, IoT-based glass cleaning robot, comprising a powerful suction unit designed both to attach the robot to vertical glass surfaces and to dry the cleaned area by vacuuming up residual moisture, making the robot suitable for use on tall buildings, including skyscrapers.

Description

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an automated robotic cleaning system for vertical glass surfaces. More specifically, it relates to an IoT-enabled glass cleaning robot that offers strong adhesion for use on tall buildings (including skyscrapers), performs both wet and dry cleaning, automatically changes cleaning pads depending on the type of soiling, prevents dirty water from dripping, ensures quiet operation, supports remote monitoring and voice control, and integrates several safety devices to prevent falls or damage. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cleaning glass surfaces on high-rise buildings is dangerous, time-consuming, and costly. Existing cleaning robots have limitations, such as weak adhesion, poor drying that leaves streaks, an inability to adapt to different types of soiling, a lack of autonomous refill / maintenance alerts, and insufficient IoT / safety features. There is a need for an autonomous, retrofittable system that offers reliable adhesion to tall structures, adaptive cleaning, water management, remote monitoring, quiet operation, and multi-layered safety mechanisms. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention comprises an automated IoT-based glass cleaning robot that combines the following functions: (a) a dual-function, high-performance suction device (adhesion + drying), (b) wet / dry cleaning with rotating sponge wheels and automatic pad change for various types of soiling, (c) a removable dust and wastewater collector that prevents dripping, (d) an IoT module for scheduling, live monitoring, progress tracking, and automatic software updates, (e) quiet operation suitable for occupied buildings, and (f) multiple redundant safety systems (safety rope key, backup safety clamp, automatic locking in case of low suction power, and short-term adhesion in case of power failure). The robot supports voice control, autonomously returns to the charging station when the battery is low, provides a live camera stream, issues maintenance alerts, and is suitable for outdoor use.

[0004] The robot is protected from dust, heat, and light rain. Multiple robots can work together on large facades; the device can process flat, angled, and angular glass surfaces. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0005] The following embodiments describe the robot in detail. The listed features are exemplary and can be combined in various configurations without altering the overall scope. Structural components 1. Main housing:

[0006] Lightweight, fire-resistant materials; contains control electronics, pumps, battery, and dust / waste chambers. Weatherproof for outdoor use and protected against dust, heat, and light rain. 2. High-performance double suction device:

[0007] Creates a vacuum for adhesion to vertical surfaces, including skyscrapers; also serves as a drying system by extracting residual moisture. Contains sensors to detect suction power and an automatic locking actuator that secures the robot when suction power decreases. 3. Rotating sponge wheels with automatic pad change:

[0008] Two or more interchangeable sponge pads (of varying qualities) are mounted on rotating assemblies. Micro-nozzles dispense cleaning solution. The robot detects the type of soiling via optical / particle sensors and automatically switches to the appropriate pad from an integrated magazine or notifies the user when a manual change is required. 4. Cleaning solution container and fluid management:

[0009] Refillable tank with a level sensor that warns when the water or cleaning fluid level is low. Compatible with standard glass cleaning fluids. The docking station ensures automatic refilling and wastewater drainage. The fluid pumps are controlled to prevent overloading; the system prevents dirty water from dripping onto building facades. 5. Removable dust and wastewater collector:

[0010] Dual-chamber system for separating dust / dirt and wastewater; prevents dripping of dirty water and is removable for cleaning. Optical sensors monitor the level of contamination and trigger an alarm when the collection chamber needs emptying. 6. Mobility wheels and rollers:

[0011] Motorized wheels and omnidirectional casters for vertical / horizontal movement and cornering. Designed for use on flat, curved, and inclined glass surfaces. 7. Safety rope wrench and safety clamp:

[0012] Primary retractable safety cable with automatic locking mechanism (rope key). The secondary safety clamp activates if the rope or suction fails. The suction unit can maintain adhesion for a short time (time buffer) after a power outage to enable safe recovery. 8. IoT communication module:

[0013] Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / cloud connectivity. The mobile app offers live camera view, progress tracking, scheduling, status notifications (low water level, maintenance required, weak suction), and remote / manual control. Supports OTA firmware updates. 9. Sensor suite:

[0014] Edge detection, tilt, suction pressure, pad wear, fluid level, dirt concentration (optical), environmental / weather sensors and optional camera for mapping and live inspection. 10. Battery and docking station:

[0015] Quickly replaceable batteries; quiet operation. Automatic return to the charging station when the battery is low. Optional solar-powered docking pad for energy-efficient charging. 11. Audio / voice interface and quiet operation:

[0016] Designed for low noise levels so it can be operated without disturbing residents; supports voice control through integration of Alexa / Google Assistant. Operation and Modes • Liability and Start:

[0017] The robot climbs to the starting position; the suction power is activated, the system checks the sensors and locks the safety rope. If the suction power falls below the threshold, a clamp is automatically activated and operation is interrupted until the problem is resolved. • Dirt detection and pad selection:

[0018] Optical sensors analyze the surface contamination. The robot automatically selects / changes the cleaning pad from the integrated magazine or notifies the user. • Wet cleaning cycle:

[0019] Rotating sponge wheels dispense a measured cleaning solution and scrub. The reservoir's fill level sensor warns when the fluid level is low. • Drying and streak-free finish:

[0020] After scrubbing, the suction unit removes excess moisture, and the rotating pads polish the area to achieve a streak-free finish. Airflow, suction intensity, and pad pressure are coordinated to prevent streaks. • Dust and wastewater management:

[0021] The extraction system directs dust into the drying chamber and wastewater into a separate wet chamber; internal valves prevent cross-contamination and droplet formation during movement. • Navigation and path optimization:

[0022] The AI ​​path planner maps the glass surface and selects optimal cleaning patterns (straight lines, spiral, zigzag, or corner passages). It learns to identify heavily soiled areas and increases the cleaning frequency in these zones. • Coordination of multiple robots:

[0023] Fleet management via the cloud: Multiple robots can be planned and coordinated to clean large facades faster while avoiding collisions. • Safety and fail-safe behavior:

[0024] In the event of a power outage, the robot maintains suction power for a short buffer period and activates the backup clamp. If suction power decreases, automatic locking actuators block the robot and alert the operator. Edge sensors prevent movement outside the designated area. • Maintenance and warning messages:

[0025] The system issues warnings for worn pads, full dust / waste container, low fluid level, automatic firmware updates, and other maintenance events. Live camera footage allows for post-cleaning inspection. Environmental and application information • Suitable for tall buildings including skyscrapers; supports slanted and curved glass panes and effectively cleans corners. • Designed for outdoor use in light rain and dusty conditions (IP-certified sealing according to the design). • The materials are fire-resistant and safe for use in buildings. ADDITIONAL FEATURES AND BENEFITS • Supports normal glass cleaning fluids; prevents drips and streaks. • Operates quietly for minimal disturbance. • Displays progress in real time and sends push notifications via the mobile app. • Performs OTA software updates and learns pollution patterns over time (machine learning). • Offers live camera view for post-cleaning inspection. • Quick battery change for extended continuous use; returns to the charging station when the battery is low. • Safety clamp and rope wrench offer multi-stage fall protection. • Multiple robots can be used to speed up the cleaning of large facades. • Works on flat, sloping and slightly curved surfaces; cleans corners thoroughly. • Can change the cleaning pads depending on the level of soiling to optimize cleaning efficiency. • Prevents dirty water from dripping during movement - safe for areas below.

Claims

[1] Automated, IoT-based glass cleaning robot comprising a powerful suction unit designed both to attach the robot to vertical glass surfaces and to dry the cleaned area by vacuuming up residual moisture, the robot being suitable for use on tall buildings, including skyscrapers. [2] Robot according to claim 1, further comprising rotating sponge wheels integrated with liquid nozzles to apply water and cleaning solution during operation, and an automatic pad changing mechanism that selects and replaces cleaning pads based on the detected type of soiling. [3] The robot according to claim 1, wherein a removable two-chamber dustbin / wastewater container is provided which stores the collected dirt and wastewater separately and prevents the dripping of dirty water while the robot is in motion. [4] Robot according to claim 1, further comprising motorized wheels and rollers for movement and change of direction on vertical, inclined and curved glass surfaces and for cleaning corners. [5] Robot according to claim 1, further comprising a retractable safety rope wrench mechanism and a backup safety clamp for anchoring the device and preventing falls in the event of a suction or power failure, and an automatic locking actuator that locks the robot in place when the suction power decreases. [6] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the IoT communication module enables remote control, data transmission, performance monitoring, live camera view and scheduling via a mobile application and issues warning messages when the water or cleaning fluid level is low, when maintenance is required and when the collection containers are full. [7] Robot according to claim 1, further comprising sensors for edge detection, tilt, suction pressure, dirt concentration, pad wear and fluid level for autonomous navigation and safety. [8] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured for quiet operation so as not to disturb the residents and supports voice control via third-party assistance systems. [9] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the batteries are quickly replaceable and the robot autonomously returns to a charging station when the battery level falls below a threshold, and supports solar-assisted docking. [10] Robot according to claim 1, further comprising an AI-based control unit configured to learn the positions of recurring dirt spots and to optimize path planning and cleaning intensity accordingly, perform OTA software updates and coordinate multiple robots for cleaning large facades. [11] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the system supports commercially available glass cleaning fluids and prevents dirty water from running down the facade during cleaning. [12] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the materials used are fire-resistant and the housing is designed for outdoor operation with protection against dust, heat and light rain. [13] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the suction unit separates dust and moisture into separate collection chambers, thereby preventing cross-contamination and enabling hygienic disposal. [14] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the robot can maintain adhesion for a limited buffer time in the event of a power failure to enable safe intervention of the safety devices. [15] Robot according to claim 1, wherein the user can select different cleaning patterns and the robot can automatically change the pads and patterns depending on the detected surface conditions.