Vacuuming floor mat with mechanically operated suction elements

Abstract

Dust extraction device for cleaning shoe soles, comprising a walk-on foot mat and a suction device connected to the foot mat [7], the floor mat has, characterized by that a supporting structure [2] arranged on the base shell [1], which supports an upper grid [6] and together with the base shell [1] forms at least one flow or air channel for the drainage of air and particles, a top grid [6] with a plurality of passage openings, closure elements [4] arranged in the passage openings, which are prestressed in the direction of the top grid [6] by means of elastic bearing elements and essentially seal the passage openings in an unloaded state, as well as actuating elements [5] which, when the upper grid [6] is loaded by a person, act on the locking elements [4] and move them away from the upper grid [6] against the preload, so that flow gaps are released between the closure elements [4] and the upper grid [6], through which air and dirt particles can be extracted into the air duct and further to the extraction device [7].

Description

2. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a device for cleaning shoe soles, in particular a doormat with an integrated suction function for removing dust and dirt particles. The invention lies in the field of floor cleaning and entrance cleaning systems as well as suction technology and relates in particular to load-dependent flow openings in a walkable surface for the targeted suction of particles. 3. State of the art

[0002] In entrance areas and industrial settings, various devices are used to remove dirt and dust from shoe soles. These typically include mechanically operating doormats, brush mats, or textile dirt-trapping systems that capture loose particles through friction or adhesion.

[0003] Furthermore, extraction systems are known that use airflow to remove dirt particles from a floor area. However, such systems often have open intake openings or are designed in such a way that continuous extraction occurs regardless of whether a person is walking on the surface. A disadvantage of known solutions is that, with mechanical devices, the removal of particles is not guaranteed, or with extraction systems, either the extraction effect is not selectively activated, or the openings remain permanently exposed, thus promoting energy losses and continuous noise generation.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a device that allows for the effective removal of dust and dirt upon entry, while at the same time having a closed surface when unloaded and only releasing suction when actually in use. 4. Technical Problem

[0005] In public, cultural, and industrial buildings and areas with high demands on cleanliness, operating costs, and appearance, dirt particles, especially fine dust, pollen, and microbial particles, are continuously tracked into interior spaces on shoe soles. This leads to increased cleaning efforts, higher operating costs, and hygiene concerns, and can, particularly in sensitive areas, impair infrastructure, surfaces, or exhibited objects. Conventional dirt-trapping systems are often only passively effective, primarily removing coarse particles while inadequately capturing fine and airborne contaminants. Furthermore, existing extraction solutions often move air independently of the actual use of the space, which can result in energy losses and undesirable airflow effects.

[0006] The invention specified in claim 1 is based on the problem of providing a walk-in cleaning device which, when entered, enables the effective removal of particles adhering to shoe soles and simultaneously captures and removes any contaminated air generated, wherein the device has a closed and visually appealing surface in the uncontaminated state. Description of the invention 5.1 Summary

[0007] The dust extraction device with the product name StepVacPlate includes a floor mat and a vacuum vacuum cleaner connected to the floor mat [ Fig. 1]. The floor mat has a base tray [1] in which a support structure [2] is arranged, which supports an upper grid [6] and together with the base tray [1] forms an air channel for dust extraction.

[0008] The upper grid [6] has several recesses for receiving plates [4] and spheres [5]. The plates [4] are mounted on the crossbeams [2] by means of elastomer components [3] and are prestressed by these in the direction of the upper grid [6], so that the recesses of the upper grid [6] are essentially airtight in a rest state.

[0009] Furthermore, balls [5] are arranged in the recesses of the upper grid [6], which act on the retaining arms of the plates

[10] when a person steps on the floor mat and move the plates [4] downwards against the preload force of the rubber components [3], thereby releasing suction slots between the plates [4] and the upper grid [6], through which dust is sucked into the air duct and on to the vacuum cleaner [7]. 5.2 Example of Implementation

[0010] The invention, comprising a floor mat and a suction device connected to the floor mat [7] (as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown), wherein the extraction device [7] has: • a connection channel to the floor mat • a device for separating coarse dirt, dust particles, sand, etc. • a collection container for coarse dirt • a motor to generate the vacuum for air extraction • a device for cleaning the air of fine dust and bacteria, wherein the floor mat has: • a base tray [1], • a supporting structure [2] arranged on the base shell [1], which supports an upper grid [6] and together with the base shell [1] forms at least one air channel for the removal of air and dust, • an upper grating [6] with a plurality of openings, • Closure elements in the form of plates [4] arranged in the passage openings, which are pre-tensioned in the direction of the upper grid [6] by means of elastic bearing elements [3], so that the passage openings are in an unloaded

[0011] are essentially sealed airtight, and actuating elements in the form of balls [5], which are arranged such that when the floor mat is loaded by a person, they act on the retaining arms of the plates

[10] and thus on the plates [4] and move them away from the upper grid [6] against the preload of the elastic bearing elements [3], so that flow gaps are released section by section between the plates [4] and the upper grid [6] ( Fig. 6), through which air and dust are extracted through the openings into the air duct and further to the extraction device [7].

[0012] The bottom shell [1] contains partitions to form a flow channel. The partition walls or crossbeams [2] support the plates [4] via elastic components [3] and support the upper grid ( Fig. 3 and Fig. 4).

[0013] The elastic mounting [3] can be ensured by plate preload, rubber, leaf springs or magnet.

[0014] The vacuum suction device [7] is activated by a motion sensor or a foot sensor. 5.3 Description of the drawings

[0015] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the Fig. Sections 1 to 6 are explained. They show: Fig. 1 Top view of the device Fig. 2. Partial exploded view of the device Fig. 3 Partial section BB Fig. 4 Partial section AA Fig. 5 Perspective view without upper grid [6] Fig. 6 extraction slots when the grate is stepped on 5.4 Device Setup • List of Reference Symbols 1 base tray 2 crossbeams 3 Spacer elastomer 4 plates / locking element 5 ball / actuating element 6 upper bars 7 Extraction system 8 Crossbeam elevation as upper grid support 9 plate edge top 10 plate holder arm • The base tray [1] lies on the floor and has space for extraction. • The crossbeams [2] stand on the base shell [1] and form flow channels. • Spacer elastomers [3] can be attached to the crossbeams [2]. • Raised sections [8] on the crossbeams [2] can support the upper grid [6]. • The plates [4] are attached to and fix the spacer elastomers [3]. • The plates [4] are pyramid-shaped in the center and flat at the edge, in order to function not only as a locking element, but also as a supporting actuating element ( Fig. 5). • The recesses in the supercrest [6] are smaller than the upper surface of the platelets [4]. • In the unloaded state, the edge of the plate top [9] should slightly overlap with the underside of the top grating [6] at the recesses provided for this purpose. • Spacer elastomers [3] can press the platelets [4] against the top grid [6] from below and seal the openings. • Number of large recesses = number of tiles [4]. • The balls [5] can be pre-tensioned by the retaining arms of the plates

[10] in the unloaded state and pressed into the recesses provided for this purpose in the upper grid [6] to seal them airtight. • The retaining arms of the plates

[10] are attached and shaped in such a way that the balls [5] do not fall out. • The recesses in the upper grid [6] are smaller in diameter than the diameter of the sphere [5]. • Number of round openings = number of spheres [5]. • Under load, the balls [5] are pressed downwards. The shoe sole presses the protruding contact surface of the ball to the level of the upper grid [6], creating a circular gap between the ball and the upper grid recess. The ball presses the retaining arms of the plates

[10] downwards, and due to their flexible mounting on the spacer elastomers [3] and the deflection of the plates, a gap also opens here ( Fig. 6). • Dust is extracted through the open gap. • Without load, spacer elastomers [3] and / or preload of the plates [4] can push the balls [5] back into the openings and close them. • Balls [5] can be made of stainless steel or alloy steel. • The extraction device [7] can extract dust from flow channels via a hose or attached channel. • When someone steps onto the mat, a sensor detects weight or movement and the suction starts.

Claims

[1] Dust extraction device for cleaning shoe soles, comprising a walk-on foot mat and a suction device connected to the foot mat [7], the floor mat has, characterized by , that a supporting structure [2] arranged on the base shell [1], which supports an upper grid [6] and together with the base shell [1] forms at least one flow or air channel for the drainage of air and particles, a top grid [6] with a plurality of passage openings, closure elements [4] arranged in the passage openings, which are prestressed in the direction of the top grid [6] by means of elastic bearing elements and essentially seal the passage openings in an unloaded state, as well as actuating elements [5] which, when the upper grid [6] is loaded by a person, act on the locking elements [4] and move them away from the upper grid [6] against the preload, so that flow gaps are released between the closure elements [4] and the upper grid [6], through which air and dirt particles can be extracted into the air duct and further to the extraction device [7]. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the actuating elements [5] may be spherical or functionally equivalent and have a larger diameter than the recesses of the upper grid [6]. [3] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the closure elements are designed as plates [4] or flap-like elements. [4] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the elastic bearing elements [3] comprise elastomer components, in particular rubber elements. [5] Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that the preload is formed by elastic mounting, spring, leaf spring or mechanical preload of the plates [4]. [6] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the supporting structure has crossbeams [8] or partitions which form flow channels. [7] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the passage openings are essentially airtight when unloaded by the closing elements [4] and the actuating elements [5]. [8] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the activation of the extraction device [7] is carried out by a sensor, in particular a motion or load sensor. [9] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the closure elements [4] can be plates or similar elements such as flaps, triangular, round, rectangular or polygonal. They preferably have a pyramidal center and have a larger diameter than the associated openings of the upper grid [6]. [10] Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that locking elements [4] provide guides for the actuating elements [5] at the points with the smallest distance to these by means of support arms [10].

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