STREET SWEEPER WITH AN AUTOMATIC CLEANING SYSTEM FOR CLEANING A RECYCLING SYSTEM

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a street sweeper with a dirt container and a suction device. The suction device has a suction inlet, a suction channel, and a suction fan. The suction device directs a suction flow to the dirt container. Furthermore, the street sweeper comprises a recycling system with a separation device. The separation device separates dirty water from the dirt container into the recycling system, allowing recycled water to be reused. Furthermore, the street sweeper comprises a fresh water tank in which fresh water is stored. background

[0002] Street sweepers are used to clean streets. They typically have disc brushes that suck dirt through a suction nozzle and channel into a dirt container. Nozzles spray fresh water onto the street in front of the disc brushes. This reduces the amount of dust being stirred up. The sprayed water is sucked up along with the dirt and transported to the dirt container.

[0003] Additional nozzles spray water into the suction inlet and into the suction channel. The sprayed water binds the dust at high flow speeds in the suction channel. The dust remains in the dirt container and does not escape from the street sweeper through the dirt container's exhaust air opening.

[0004] A street sweeper can only carry a limited amount of fresh water, and fresh water consumption should generally be reduced for environmental reasons. Therefore, the street sweeper is equipped with a recycling system. The dirty water sucked in is recycled and can be reused within the street sweeper.

[0005] Street sweeper drivers are trained to clean the recycling system when emptying the dirt container and / or daily to ensure that the functionality of the recycling system is not impaired.

[0006] DE 691 06 515 discloses a self-propelled street sweeper with a water recirculation system.

[0007] EP 3 205 774 discloses a self-propelled street sweeper with a water pump which is controlled in response to a precipitation signal.

[0008] CN 2 521 252 discloses a street sweeper with a device for dust compaction by cyclical spraying of water.

[0009] DE 10 2010 024500 discloses a street sweeper in which the cleaning fluid is heated by means of a heat exchanger using the waste heat of the vehicle.

[0010] CN207419345 protects a street sweeper with a recycling system. To reduce dust development within a suction line, recycled water or fresh water is sprayed into the suction line. Description of the invention

[0011] The task is to provide a street sweeper with a user-friendly recycling system.

[0012] This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Accordingly, a street sweeper comprises a dirt container and a suction device. The suction device comprises a suction inlet, a suction channel, and a suction fan. The suction fan generates a suction flow that leads into the dirt container. Furthermore, the street sweeper comprises a recycling system with a separation device. The separation device separates the dirty water sucked in from the dirt container into the recycling system.

[0013] A recycling system is a system that allows for the reuse of wastewater within the street sweeper. The recycling system can treat and clean the wastewater, but this is not mandatory. The only relevant aspect for the definition of a recycling system is the reuse of the wastewater within the street sweeper. The recycling system includes a recycling line, with the recycled water flowing in a first flow direction from the wastewater container through the recycling line.

[0014] Reuse means that the dirty water does not remain in the dirt tank until the dirt tank is emptied, but is used in another form within the street sweeper.

[0015] The street sweeper also includes a fresh water tank in which fresh water is stored. A cleaning device is also provided, by means of which at least part of the recycling system can be cleaned. The fresh water from the fresh water tank is used to clean the recycling system.

[0016] At least one section of the recycling line can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device by means of a high-pressure water jet or by means of a pulsating water jet, and / or the cleaning device is designed to guide fresh water in a second flow direction through at least one section of the recycling line, wherein the first flow direction and the second flow direction are opposite within the recycling line, in particular wherein the second flow direction is in the direction of the dirt container.

[0017] The presence of a cleaning device has the advantage that the recycling system can be easily cleaned. For example, it is no longer necessary for the operator of the street sweeper to clean the recycling system with an external cleaning device, such as an external high-pressure cleaning system. This task is performed by the cleaning device built into the street sweeper, which is specifically designed for cleaning the recycling system. The recycling system can therefore be cleaned effectively and efficiently. The recycling system functions continuously, and no time-consuming maintenance is required. The street sweeper is extremely user-friendly.

[0018] The street sweeper is advantageously designed such that the recycled water is not fed into the fresh water tank and / or directed to existing cleaning brushes, especially disc brushes. In particular, the recycled water is directed, in particular sprayed, into the suction inlet and / or the suction channel. The recycled water is thus not used where absolutely clean water is required. The recycled water does not require extensive treatment and cleaning; it may also contain a certain amount of dirt. The dirt content in the recycled water leads to the problem that certain sections of the recycling system become dirty or clogged. The existing cleaning device solves this problem by regularly cleaning the recycling system.

[0019] In particular, the recycling line carries the recycled water from the dirt container to the suction mouth and / or the suction channel.

[0020] "From the dirt tank" doesn't mean that the recycling line must be directly connected to the dirt tank. It simply means that the recycling line carries recycled water drawn from the dirt tank.

[0021] The cleaning device is used to clean at least a section of the recycling line, in particular the entire recycling line. The cleaning device sprays a high-pressure water jet into the recycling line. This water jet can be continuous or pulsating. With such a system, the recycling line can be cleaned effectively and efficiently.

[0022] The term "high-pressure water jet" is familiar to those skilled in the art. In particular, a high-pressure water jet is associated with a pressure buildup of at least 15 bar.

[0023] It is also possible for the first and second flow directions to be opposite in a first section of the recycling line and the same in a second section. For example, in a section of the recycling line close to the dirt container, the cleaning device sprays the fresh water in the opposite direction, so that the dirt is transported toward the dirt container.

[0024] In a second section of the recycling line, the first and second flow directions can then be aligned, such that the cleaning device sprays the dirt to the suction device using the fresh water.

[0025] The described cleaning device, integrated into the street sweeper, has the advantage that fresh water can be sprayed into the recycling line at the optimal position and in the optimal direction. This achieves optimal cleaning results, and the recycling line can be cleaned effectively and efficiently. In other words, cleaning is completed in the shortest possible time, fresh water consumption is minimized, and the cleaning results are excellent, ensuring continuous operation of the recycling system.

[0026] The recycling system advantageously includes a recycling water tank. This tank collects recycled water. This recycling water tank can be part of the dirt container, meaning it can be located inside the dirt container. However, the recycling water tank can also be located outside the dirt container.

[0027] An arrangement within the dirt container has the advantage that the recycling system can be designed as compactly as possible.

[0028] The street sweeper advantageously includes a control system. The control system can automatically control the cleaning device. For example, the control system automatically activates the cleaning device after a certain operating or driving time. In addition to the driving time, the operating time also includes the downtime during which the street sweeper is in operation.

[0029] In particular, the cleaning device is activated after a maximum of five minutes, in particular a maximum of two minutes, in particular a maximum of one minute, in particular a maximum of 30 seconds. Automatic activation has the advantage that cleaning is not forgotten and the proper functioning of the recycling system is permanently guaranteed.

[0030] The control system can also automatically activate the street sweeper after a certain distance has been covered, meaning that the distance traveled is measured instead of the time. Additionally or alternatively, the driver can signal the control system, for example, by pressing a button, and the control system can activate the cleaning device.

[0031] In particular, the control system activates the cleaning device periodically, for a maximum of 30 seconds, in particular a maximum of ten seconds, in particular a maximum of five seconds, and in particular a maximum of two seconds. Unlike manual cleaning by the vehicle driver, the automatic cleaning device has the advantage that the recycling system can be cleaned in very short cycles. Street cleaning operations do not need to be interrupted.

[0032] In particular, the recycling system comprises a recycling device for treating the wastewater. The recycling device provides recycled water. The recycling device can be designed, for example, as a filter, in particular as a filter plate.

[0033] It is advantageous to have a spray device with which fresh water is sprayed in front of the cleaning brushes of the street sweeper. Short description of the drawings

[0034] Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to the Fig. 1 This figure shows a schematic diagram of a street sweeper with an integrated recycling system and cleaning device. Way to implement the invention

[0035] Fig. 1shows the schematic design of a street sweeper according to the invention. The street sweeper is a vehicle with wheels, a machine room, and a driver's cab. The driver's cab and wheels are Fig. 1 not shown. Fig. 1 shows the view from the left of the vehicle. That is, in Fig. 1 The front of the vehicle is on the left. The rear of the vehicle is on the right. The road sweeper's direction of travel is in the direction of arrow 1.

[0036] Disc brushes 2 are located at the front of the street sweeper. These disc brushes 2 sweep the dirt present on the road 3 into a suction nozzle 4. The suction nozzle 4 is located below the driver's cab (not shown).

[0037] A suction channel 5 connects the suction inlet 4 to a dirt container 6. A suction fan 7 arranged on the dirt container 6 sucks the wiped-up dirt through the suction inlet 4 and through the suction channel 5 into the dirt container 6. The dirt container 6 collects the sucked-in dirt. The driver must empty the dirt container 6 regularly.

[0038] Nozzles 8 are arranged on the front side of the disc brushes 2 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, on the front side of the street sweeper. These nozzles 8 spray fresh water onto the street 3. A pump 9 pumps the fresh water from a fresh water tank 10 to the nozzles 8. The fresh water tank 10 is arranged in the engine room and can, for example, have a volume of 200 liters. The flow direction from the fresh water tank 10 to the nozzles 8 is Fig. 1represented by single arrows. Spraying Street 3 with water prevents the resuspension of dust and fine dust particles.

[0039] The suction flow flowing through the suction inlet 4 and the suction channel 5 into the dirt container 6 thus carries not only dirt but also the fresh water sprayed by the nozzles 8. If it rains during operation of the street sweeper, rainwater also flows through the suction inlet 4 into the dirt container 6. This mixture of dirt and fresh water, and possibly additional rainwater, is hereinafter referred to as dirty water.

[0040] The street sweeper is equipped with a recycling system in the engine room. The recycling system is designed to reuse the dirty water sucked into the dirt container 6. The recycling system includes a recycling water tank 11 in which recycled water is stored. In this case, the recycling water tank 11 is located within the dirt container 6.

[0041] The recycling system includes a separation device 12, in the form of a filter plate, which filters the wastewater and thus largely removes dirt from it. However, the filter plate allows fine dust and fine sand to pass through. The wastewater flowing through the separation device 12 is referred to as recycled water after filtering. The recycled water is stored in the recycled water tank 11.

[0042] An outlet 13 with a valve 14 is arranged on the underside of the recycling water tank 11. When the valve 14 is open, recycling water flows from the recycling water tank 11 into a recycling line 15. The flow direction of the recycling water is the same throughout the entire Fig. 1 marked by double arrows.

[0043] The recycling line 15 carries the recycled water to nozzles 16, which spray the recycled water into the suction inlet 4 and the suction line 5. By spraying water into the suction inlet 4 and the suction line 5, dust is trapped in the suction channel 5 at high flow speeds, preventing the dust from escaping from the street sweeper into the environment via the exhaust air from the outlet opening 17 of the dirt container 6.

[0044] As mentioned, the filter plate 12 does not filter out all the dirt from the wastewater. Therefore, the recycled water within the recycling system is contaminated with extremely fine sand and particulate matter. This residual dirt accumulates in the outlet 13, the recycling line 15, and the nozzles 16. This can cause the recycling system to become clogged or at least impair its functionality.

[0045] For this reason, a cleaning device is provided in the street sweeper, with which the recycling system can be cleaned. In particular, the outlet 13, the recycling line 15, and the nozzles 16 can be cleaned. The cleaning device comprises a pump 18 and a supply line 19. The pump 18 pumps fresh water from the fresh water tank 10 through the supply line 19 into the recycling line 15. Entry into the recycling line 15 is via an inlet 20. Also present in this exemplary embodiment is a valve 21, with which the supply of fresh water can be additionally controlled. However, it is also possible to control the supply of fresh water only by switching the pump 18 on and off. The flow direction of the fresh water from the fresh water tank 10 to the inlet 20 is Fig. 1 marked with single arrows.

[0046] The fresh water is sprayed into the recycling line 15 using high pressure. The fresh water sprayed into the recycling line 15 under high pressure flows through the recycling line 15. The flow direction is in Fig. 1 marked by triple arrows. Between inlet 20 and recycling tank 11, the sprayed fresh water flows in the opposite direction to the flow of the recycling water. The dirt deposited in recycling line 15 and drain 13 is transported back to recycling tank 11. In the other direction, namely from inlet 20 to suction inlet 16, the fresh water is sprayed in the same direction as the recycling water flows. The dirt deposited in the recycling line is transported to suction inlet 16 and from there into dirt container 6. The dirt enters dirt container 6 due to the suction effect of suction fan 7.

[0047] Furthermore, the street sweeper is equipped with a controller 22, which, among other things, controls the cleaning device. The cleaning process, i.e., the spraying of high-pressure fresh water into the recycling line 15, is activated periodically during operation of the street sweeper, for example, after a time interval of 30 seconds. The duration of the cleaning process is limited to a few seconds. However, the time interval and cleaning duration are only examples. The control of the cleaning process can also be activated, for example, depending on the distance traveled.

[0048] The operator of the street sweeper can also activate the cleaning system manually and for any desired period of time. For example, the operator can activate the cleaning system upon reaching a fire hydrant. This allows them to clean the recycling system and then fully refill the fresh water tank.

[0049] In addition, the high-pressure jet can, for example, have a constant water pressure or be pulsating.

[0050] While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in this application, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied in other ways within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. Street sweeper comprising - a dirt container (6), - a suction device comprising a suction mouth (4), a suction channel (5) and a suction fan (7) for guiding a suction flow into the dirt container (6), - a recycling system comprising a separating device (12), configured to separate and reuse sucked-in dirty water from the dirty water tank (6) as recycled water, and further comprising a recycling conduit (15), wherein the recycling water flows in a first flow direction from the dirt container (6) through the recycling conduit (15), - a fresh water tank (10) containing fresh water, - a cleaning device configured to clean at least part of the recycling system by means of the fresh water from the fresh water tank (10), characterised in that - at least one section of the recycling conduit (15) can be cleaned by means of the cleaning device by means of a high-pressure water jet or by means of a pulsating water jet, and / or - the cleaning device is adapted to guide fresh water in a second flow direction through at least one section of the recycling conduit (15), wherein the first flow direction and the second flow direction within the recycling conduit (15) are opposite, in particular wherein the second flow direction is in the direction of the dirt container (6).

2. Street sweeper according to claim 1, wherein the street sweeper is configured such that the recycled water - is not fed to the fresh water tank (10), and / or - is not fed to cleaning brushes (2).

3. Street sweeper according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recycled water is fed, in particular sprayed, into the suction mouth (4) and / or into the suction channel (5).

4. Street sweeper according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recycled water flows through the recycling conduit (15) to the suction mouth (4) and / or to the suction channel (5).

5. Street sweeper according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a first section of the recycling conduit (15) the first flow direction and the second flow direction are opposite and in a second section of the recycling conduit (15) the first flow direction and the second flow direction are in the same direction.

6. Street sweeper according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recycling system comprises a recycling water tank (11) for collecting recycled recycling water, in particular wherein the recycling water tank (11) is arranged inside the dirt tank (6) or outside the dirt tank (6).

7. Street sweeper according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control (22), configured such that the control (22) activates the cleaning device, in particular - automatically after a certain driving or operating period, or - automatically after a certain driving distance has been travelled, or - after the control (22) has received an activation signal from the user.

8. Street sweeper according to claim 7, wherein the control (22) is configured to activate the cleaning device at time intervals of at most five minutes, in particular at most two minutes, in particular at most one minute, in particular at most 30 seconds.

9. Street sweeper according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control (22) periodically activates the cleaning device for a maximum of 30 seconds at a time, in particular a maximum of ten seconds, in particular a maximum of five seconds, in particular a maximum of two seconds .

10. Street sweeper according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the recycling system comprises a recycling device (12) for treating the dirty water and providing recycled water, in particular wherein the recycling device (12) is a filter, in particular a filter plate.