Device and method for cleaning street lamp heads

Description

FILED OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a cleaning device and a method for cleaning using the cleaning device.

[0002] It relates more specifically to a device and a method for cleaning a street light or street light head, which can be difficult to reach or to access.BACKGROUND

[0003] Road or street lights are a prevalent lighting system for lighting roads, private or public places, especially in industrial or urban areas, which may comprise hundreds or thousands of individual street lights.

[0004] Street lights are usually arranged in an outdoor environment, several meters away from the ground and are sometimes very difficult to reach or to access, for example when they are arranged on a building or when they are surrounded by natural obstacles such as trees.

[0005] In order to keep street lights efficient, regular cleaning of the light head which comprises the light source is needed. Indeed, street lights get dirty over time because of dust surface deposition and accumulation. For example, when dust accumulates on the window protecting the light source, the lighting performance of the street light can be greatly reduced. Moreover, the presence of dust on the surface of the street light can also reduce the durability of several component of the street light because of the corrosion induced by the dust.

[0006] Due to the difficulty of access of street lights and the possible high number of them in urban areas for example, conventional solutions for cleaning the street light head, such as manual cleaning, can be challenging, costly, time consuming and necessitates several human operators having to work at substantial heights. Moreover, the cleaning of street lights often necessitates to block or close at least a portion of a road due to the installation of the cleaning machines, for a subsequent period of time. This can lead to traffic jam and create additional risks for pedestrians and cyclists in the vicinity of the closed portion of the road. The presence of human operator at height can also create additional risks for passers-by such as pedestrian and cyclists, in particular risks of injury if a cleaning tool or other material is accidentally dropped by an operator or risks of splashing during the washing of the street light. These risks are especially significant in urban areas and cities, where the density of population or traffic is high.

[0007] CN 110813809 A discloses a streetlamp cleaning device which comprises a clamping structure, a cleaning mechanism and a working box, wherein the clamping structure is arranged on the clamping structure. The work box is used for driving the clamping structure to move on the streetlamp pole.

[0008] CN 110216096 A discloses a streetlamp cleaning device, including spray nozzle, hydrojet row, metal flexible conduit, suction pumps, cleaning case, Mobile base, control switch, fill cap, band Valved discharge pipe, movable pulley, telescopic rod and can assist angle adjusting bracket at connecting sleeve.

[0009] CN 106423970 B discloses an electronic light pole cleaning device including a control center, mobile control, vehicle frame, lifting mechanism, wiper mechanism, hydraulic pipeline, hydraulic pipeline solenoid valve, traction mechanism, battery, landing leg hydraulic cylinder, hydraulic oil container, wheel, clear water tank, washing lotion box, water pump, hydraulic pressure gauge, pump motor, hydraulic pump motor, hydraulic pump and hydraulic fluid pressure table.

[0010] CN 110465511 A discloses a cylindricality optical road lamp cleaning machine assembled by 2 or more cleaning monomer. The cleaning monomer includes arc-shaped cleaning monomer shell, climbing device and hairbrush-cleaning machine. Arc-shaped cleaning monomer shell side is provided with connection buckle, and the other side is provided with the buckle gap being correspondingly arranged with connection buckle.

[0011] Usually, cleaning of the surface of the street light head is performed during the maintenance process of the standard street lights, for example during the periodic classical bulb replacement. However, the emergence of LED technology has changed the maintenance process for street lights since the classical periodic bulb replacement is not required as often anymore. However, the regular cleaning of the lamps remains necessary.

[0012] Consequently, there is a need to provide a device and a method to clean multiple types of street light heads, regardless of the arrangement of the street light head or obstacles around it, in an efficient, safe and ecological manner.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is one aspect of the present disclosure to provide a cleaning device for a street light head. It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a method for cleaning a street light head using the said cleaning device.

[0014] It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a vehicle comprising the cleaning device according to the invention, the cleaning device being attached to a lifting arm system of the vehicle.

[0015] The cleaning device for cleaning a street light head comprises a cleaning box, an outer periphery of which is defined by at least a first shell and a second shell opposed to each other, the first and the second shells delimiting a hollow inside space of the cleaning box, and the first shell and / or the second shell being configured to move from an open position in which the cleaning box is open and configured to allow the street light head to be positioned inside the cleaning box, to a cleaning position in which the cleaning box is closed.

[0016] The cleaning device further comprises an actuator device configured to move the first shell and / or the second shell between the open position and the closed position.

[0017] The cleaning devices comprises a washing means arranged in the hollow inside space and configured to clean the street light head.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, the washing means comprises at least one high pressure water jet system and / or at least one brush system.

[0019] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the first shell or the second shell comprises a first recess arranged on a side of the first or the second shell and configured to accommodate an arm of the street light head, when the street light head is positioned inside the cleaning box, in the hollow inside space.

[0020] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the first shell and the second shell comprise a second recess, the first recess and the second recess being coincident.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the first shell and the second shell comprise several recesses arranged on different sides of the first and the second shell, the recesses arranged on the first shell being coincident with the recesses arranged on the second shell.

[0022] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the cleaning box comprises a positioning means configured to detect a position of the cleaning box relative to the street light head.

[0023] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, the positioning means comprises at least one distance sensor and / or at least one camera, the at least one distance sensor and / or the at least one camera being arranged on an outside of the cleaning box or on an inside of the cleaning box.

[0024] In embodiments of the present invention, the device further comprises a moving means connected to the cleaning box and configured to move and to orientate the cleaning box in a three-dimensional space.

[0025] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the moving means comprises connection means configured to connect the moving means to a telescopic arm.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, the device further comprises a pressure cleaning means comprising a pump, a reservoir and configured to move a liquid from the reservoir to the washing means.

[0027] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the pressure cleaning means further comprises a liquid recycling means configured to collect and filtrate a used liquid from the cleaning box.

[0028] According to still another aspect of the present invention, the device further comprises a control means configured to operate the cleaning box, the washing means and the moving means and indicates the position of the cleaning box relative to the street light head.

[0029] The method for cleaning a street light head using a cleaning device according to the invention comprises the step of displacing the cleaning device with the cleaning box in the open position until the street light head is located between the first shell and the second shell, of the cleaning device.

[0030] The method further comprises the step of closing the cleaning box in the cleaning position.

[0031] The method further comprises the step of washing the street light head with the washing means.

[0032] The method comprises the step of opening the cleaning box and displacing the cleaning device until the street light head is located away from the first shell and the second shell.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the invention. Figures 1a and 1b show a schematic view of a cleaning box comprising a first and a second shell, opposed to each other; Figures 2a and 2b depict a frame of the first and second shells of the cleaning box; Figure 3 depicts the back of a cleaning box comprising an actuator device configured to move the first shell and / or the second shell; Figures 4a and 4b show the cleaning box in the open position with two types of street light heads positioned inside the cleaning box; Figures 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e depict washing means arranged in the hollow inside space of the cleaning box and configured to clean the street light head, and a used water collection system arranged in the hollow inside space of the cleaning box; Figures 6a and 6b show a cleaning box comprising one or two coincident recesses arranged on the front side of the first and / or the second shell and configured to accommodate an arm of the street light head or the street light head, when the street light head is positioned inside the cleaning box; Figure 7a illustrates a cleaning box comprising different recesses arranged on the first and second shells and comprising sealing brushes covering the recesses; Figure 7b depicts a cleaning box comprising different recesses accommodating a street light head arranged at the top of a post; Figures 8a and 8b show a cleaning box comprising sealing means in an open and a cleaning position; Figures 9a and 9b depict the second shell of the cleaning box comprising positioning means configured to detect the position of the cleaning box relative to the street light head; Figure 10 illustrates an example of a liquid recycling means of the cleaning device; Figures 11 shows moving means of the cleaning device configured to move and to orientate the cleaning box in a three-dimensional space; Figure 12 shows an example of a control means configurated to operate the cleaning device; Figure 13 depicts a vehicle comprising the cleaning device attached to a lifting arm system of the vehicle; and Figure 14 shows the different steps of a method for cleaning a street light head according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] It is a first object of the invention to provide a cleaning device for a street light head.

[0035] As shown in figures 1a and 1b, the cleaning device comprises a cleaning box 1, an outer periphery of which is defined by at least a first shell 2a and a second shell 2b opposed to each other.

[0036] The first and the second shells 2a, 2b delimit a hollow inside space 3 of the cleaning box 1.

[0037] The first shell 2a and / or the second shell 2b are configured to move from an open position in which the cleaning box 1 is open and configured to allow the street light head 6 to be positioned inside the cleaning box 1 as shown in figure 4a and 4b, to a cleaning position in which the cleaning box 1 is closed as shown in figures 5a and 5b.

[0038] The cleaning device comprises an actuator device 4 configured to move the first shell 2a and / or the second shell 2b between the open position and the closed position.

[0039] As shown in figure 5a to 5e, a washing means 5 is arranged in the hollow inside space 3 of the cleaning box 1 and configured to clean the street light head 6, especially when the cleaning box 1 is in the cleaning position.

[0040] The cleaning box 1 formed by the first and the second shells 2a, 2b may have a substantially rectangular geometry.

[0041] The first shell 2a and the second shell 2b may each comprise two lateral and opposed walls delimiting the sides of the shells 2a, 2b, a front wall opposed to a back wall delimiting the front and the back of the shells 2a, 2b and a wall arranged in a way to close a space formed by the two lateral walls and the front and back walls to obtain a hollow box with on side open.

[0042] The first shell 2a is arranged opposite to the second shell 2b, both openings of the first and second shells 2a, 2b facing each other to delimit the hollow inside space 3 of the cleaning box.

[0043] The two lateral walls and the front and back walls of the first shell 2a being coincident with the two lateral walls and the front and back walls of the second shell 2b so that when the cleaning box 1 is in the cleaning position, the walls of the first shell 2a and the walls of the second shell 2b are aligned and facing each other to ensure that the cleaning box 1 is closed.

[0044] The first and second shells 2a, 2b, may be made of aluminum or composite material such as carbon fibers or fiberglass or any other material that enables the cleaning box to have a reduced weight and be sufficiently resistant to the sun or bad weather conditions to ensure a long lifespan.

[0045] Additionally, the first and second shells 2a, 2b may comprise a metallic or composite reinforcing frame enabling to mechanically reinforce the shell structures. The frame may comprise aluminum, carbon fiber or fiberglass beam structure.

[0046] The size of the second shells 2a, 2b is chosen to obtain a cleaning box 1 comprising a hollow inside space 3 sufficiently large enough to accommodate different types of street light heads 6. Preferentially, the cleaning box 1 is 130 cm long, between 80 to 90 cm wide and 120 cm high.

[0047] As shown in figures 1a and 1b, the first shell and the second shell 2a, 2b are movably connected, for example at their back wall.

[0048] The first and second shells 2a, 2b may be connected with a rod enabling a rotation of the first shell 2a around the rod, from the open position to the cleaning or closed position.

[0049] As depicted in figure 3, the cleaning device may comprise an actuator 4 device, which is configured to move the first shell 2a and / or the second shell 2b between the open position and the closed position.

[0050] The actuator 4 may be configured to move the first only or the first and second shells 2a, 2b.

[0051] The actuator device 4 may comprise electrical motors, hydraulic cylinders or linear actuators.

[0052] Preferably, the actuator device 4 is powered by electricity only.

[0053] The washing means 5 may comprise at least one high pressure water jet system arranged inside the hollow space 3 of the cleaning box 1 and comprising at least one outlet nozzle. A plurality of high-pressure water jet system may also be arranged.

[0054] The one or plurality of high-pressure watejet systems enable to provide an efficient washing of the street light head 6 without the need of additional cleaning products which may comprise toxic or polluting compounds. Therefore, as no additional cleaning product is needed, the water may be thrown away in the sewer, without the need for specific pollution control.

[0055] As shown in figures 5a to 5e, the one or plurality of high-pressure water jet system 5 may be arranged in the hollow inside space 3, for example on the two opposed lateral walls of the second shell 2b and / or of the first shell 2a. Alternatively, the one or plurality of high-pressure water jet system 5 may also be arranged on the wall forming the bottom of the second shell 2b and or on the wall forming the top of the first shell 2a. With different high pressure water jet system arrangements, the washing means 5 are therefore able to spray water at high pressure on different sides of the street light head 6 enabling therefore a complete cleaning of the head, when the latter is positioned inside the cleaning box 1.

[0056] As shown in figure 5e, a plurality of washing means or high-pressure water jet system 5 may be arranged in the hollow inside space 3, on the lateral walls of the first and second shells 2a, 2b, on the top wall of the first shell 2a and on the bottom walls of the second shell 2b, enabling the washing of all the street light head 6 sides.

[0057] As depicted on figure 5a and 5b, the high-pressure water jet system may also be arranged along a curved element comprising a plurality of outlet nozzles and movably mounted in rotation on the wall delimiting the back of the second shell 2b. The curved element may be able to rotate around a vertical axis, substantially perpendicular to the wall on which the element is attached enabling therefore to turn around a street light head 6 while spraying water at high pressure on the street light head 6 and therefore enabling the cleaning of all sides of the head 6.

[0058] The washing means 5 may be movably mounted inside the cleaning box 1.

[0059] High pressure water jet systems with networks of pressurized water jet cleaning nozzles may be arranged on all internal walls will of the first and second shells.

[0060] Additionally, the high-pressure water jet system may comprise a plurality of outlet nozzles comprising a plurality of solenoid valve enabling to close one or several outlet nozzles. Closing of an outlet nozzle enables to optimize the cleaning process for different types of street light heads 6.

[0061] Moreover, the closure of one or several outlet nozzles enable to increase the outlet pressure from the remaining open nozzles and can therefore enable to clean some parts of the street light head 6 with a higher pressure. Insulating certain water circuits makes it possible to obtain higher washing or cleaning power in the event that the street light head 6 is heavily soiled. This also makes it possible to adapt the washing cycle relatively to the type of the street light head 6. Indeed, a classic lantern with several panes does not need the same cleaning protocol cycle as a street light head with only one protecting window facing the ground.

[0062] The outlet nozzles may be rotating outlet nozzles rotating around their axes and increasing the outlet pressure of the water.

[0063] The washing means 5 may comprise at least one brush system arranged in the hollow inside space 3, for example on the two opposed lateral walls of the second shell 2b and / or of the first shell 2a. Alternatively, the one or plurality of brush systems may also be arranged on the wall forming the bottom of the second shell 2b and / or on the wall forming the top of the first shell 2a.

[0064] The brush system may move horizontally along the side walls of the first 2a or second shell 2b and back and forward from the walls to which they are attached to ensure that the brush system is in contact with the surface of the street light head 6, regardless of the type of size of the head 6.

[0065] The brush system may also be arranged inside the hollow space 3 on the bottom of the second shell 2b or on the top of the first shell 2a. The brush system may comprise one or several brush systems in the form of one or several rotating brush rolls which may move vertically to ensure that the brush system is in contact with the surface of the street light head 6, regardless of the type of size of the head 6.

[0066] The washing means 5 may comprises a combination of at least one high pressure water system and at least one brush system.

[0067] As shown in figure 6a, the second shell 2b may comprise a recess 7a arranged on the front wall of the cleaning box.

[0068] The first shell 7a may also comprise a second recess 7b, arranged on the front wall of the first shell 7a and being coincident with the recess 7a as illustrated in figure 6b.

[0069] The recess 7a or both recesses 7a, 7b enables to accommodate an arm 8 of the street light head 6, when the street light head 6 is positioned inside the cleaning box 1, in the hollow inside space 3.

[0070] The first and second shells 2a, 2b may comprise a plurality of recesses 7a, 7b arranged on the front walls of the shells and on the side walls of the shells 2a, 2b as shown in figure 6c.

[0071] The arrangement of recesses 7a, 7b on the side of the first and second shells 2a, 2b allows to accommodate the arm 8 of the street light head 6 regardless of the position of the cleaning box 1 relative to the street light head 6. The cleaning box 1 can therefore accommodate a street light head 6 from the front of from both side of the cleaning box 1 as shown in figures 4a and 4b.

[0072] As shown in figure 7a the recesses may comprise sealing means such as sealing brushes 17 arranged to avoid the water coming from the washing means 5 to leak outside of the cleaning box 1, when the cleaning box 1 is closed or in the cleaning position.

[0073] As shown in figures 7a and 7b, the second shell 2b may further comprise an additional recess 7c extending into the bottom wall of the second shell 2b enabling to accommodate an arm 8 or a post of a street light head 6, especially when the arm 8 is curved or comprises a reinforcement bar arranged from the street light pole and the arm 8.

[0074] The free side of the walls of the first shell 2a and second shell 2b may comprise a seal 18 for sealing the junction between the first 2a and the second shell 2b, in the cleaning position, as shown in figures 8a and 8b.

[0075] The seal may be an inflatable seal, which. when inflated, prevents the presence of empty space between the first 2a and second shell 2b. An inflatable seal also allows to accommodate an arm 8 of a street light head 6. Indeed, the inflatable seal may be inflated to fit the shape and the size of the arm 8, to avoid the presence of empty spaces between the arm 8 and the first 2a and second shells 2b.

[0076] The recesses 7a, 7b, 7c may also comprise a seal or an inflatable seal.

[0077] As shown in figure 5c, the first shell 2a may comprise a plurality of plastic or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) strips 19 arranged on the walls of the first shell 2a, along the opening of the shell 2a and enabling to avoid liquid projection outside the cleaning box 1.

[0078] The device may comprise pressure cleaning means 12 comprising a pump 23, a reservoir 13 and configured to move a liquid 14 from the reservoir 13 to the washing means 5 arranged inside the cleaning box 1.

[0079] The pressure cleaning means 12 may be arranged inside or on the second shell 2b.

[0080] The pump may be a high-pressure pump with plungers known in the art and enabling to reach pressure up to 200 bars.

[0081] The pressure cleaning means 12 may further comprise a liquid recycling means 15 configured to collect and filtrate a used liquid from the cleaning box 1.

[0082] Optionally, the pressure cleaning means may comprise a heater to heat the liquid or water enabling therefore to clean the street light head with hot water.

[0083] Clean liquid or water is drawn from a clean water tank 14 (figure 10) and pumped by a high-pressure pump to reach pressures of up to 200 bars. Pressurized water is routed to a single inlet solenoid valve with multiple outlets. The control of the solenoid valve renders possible to convey or not the pressurized water to a nozzle or a network of nozzles of the washing means 5.

[0084] The water is thus projected against the street light head 6 to be cleaned inside the cleaning box 1. The used or dirty water falls by gravity into the second shell 2b of the cleaning box and collected by an evacuation pipe 20 (see figures 5a and 5b), then sent to a used water tank 21 as shown in figure 10. At the bottom of the used water reservoir 21, a passage is arranged and covered by recycling means 15.

[0085] The second shell may have a bottom wall forming a slight slop enabling the collection of used water by the evacuation pipe 20 as shown in figure 5a and 5b.

[0086] Recycling means 15 may comprise a mesh and / or a particle filter, for example an outer cartridge filter.

[0087] The water, by gravity, will pass through the recycling means 15, which will retain the impurities, and flow into the clean water reservoir 13, thus completing the cycle.

[0088] Recycling means 15 may be disassembled, turned over and cleaned with a water jet, like swimming pool filters.

[0089] Additionally, a one-way valve 22 may be arranged in the passage at the bottom of the used water reservoir 21 to enable the passage of filtrated water from the used water reservoir 21 to the clean water reservoir 13 while avoiding the passage of clean water from the clean water reservoir 13 to the used water reservoir 21.

[0090] Recycling means 15 enables to reduce the liquid or water volume needed for the cleaning of one or several street light head 6. Consequently, the weight of the device is greatly reduced as less water needs to be transported. This leads to the reduction of water consumption but also to the diminution of pollution from the transport of the device.

[0091] Additionally, the pressure cleaning means 12 may comprises a second reservoir containing a cleaning product such as a liquid, preferentially an organic, biologic or biodegradable liquid to be projected against the street light head 6 to be cleaned inside the cleaning box 1 when the street light head 6 is particularly dirty.

[0092] The cleaning product may be projected against the street light head 6 from the outlet nozzles of the washing means 5. Alternatively, the cleaning product may be projected from a different network of outlet nozzle.

[0093] The cleaning product may be projected on the street light head 6 before the cleaning of the street light head 6 by the washing means 5.

[0094] Optionally, the cleaning product may be projected on the street light head 6 and left on the head surface for a period of time, for example between 1 minutes to 10 minutes before the washing of the street light head 6 by the washing means 5.

[0095] The cleaning box 1 may also comprise positioning means 8 as shown in figures 9a and 9b.

[0096] Position means 8 may comprise at least one distance sensor 8a and at least one camera 8b.

[0097] One or a plurality of distance sensors may be arranged inside the second shell 2b as shown in figures 9a and 9b. The distance sensors 8b enable to measure the position of the street light head 6 relatively to the walls of the cleaning box and therefore enable to assist the operator during the guidance of the cleaning device to ensure that the street light head 6 is optimally placed inside the cleaning box 1.

[0098] The at least one camera 8b may be arranged inside the cleaning box or outside, for example on the front wall of the second shell 2b.

[0099] One first camera 8b may be arranged outside the cleaning box 2 on the front wall of the second shell 2b and a second camera may be arranged inside the cleaning box, on the back wall of the second shell 2b. The first camera 8b at the front of the cleaning box 1 enable an operator to visualize the approach to the street light. The second camera 8b arranged inside the cleaning box 1 allows the operator to verify the correct placement of the street light head 6 inside the cleaning box 1 and also to control the efficiency of the cleaning.

[0100] The device may further comprise moving means 9 connected to the cleaning box 1 and configured to move and to orientate the cleaning box 1 in the three-dimensional space enabling various positions of the cleaning box 1 to clean various type of street light heads 6.

[0101] The moving means 9 may comprise a connection means 10 configured to connect the moving means 9 to a telescopic arm 11. The telescopic arm 11 may come from a vehicle for example.

[0102] Alternatively, the connection means 10 may be arranged directly on the cleaning box 1, for example in the second shell 2b to connect the cleaning box to a telescopic arm 11.

[0103] The connection means 10 may comprise screws and nuts to fix the cleaning box 1 or the moving means 9 connected to the cleaning box 1 to the telescopic arm 11.

[0104] The translations and rotations of the cleaning box is performed using hydraulic jacks or linear actuators 9 as shown in figure 11.

[0105] The Hydraulic jacks or linear actuators have a torque and a force depending on the size and weight of the cleaning device, taking into account safety coefficient.

[0106] Moving means 9 enable to precisely positioned the cleaning device relatively to a street light head 6.

[0107] When the moving means 9 are connected to a telescopic arm 11, the rough positioning of the cleaning device is be done by the telescopic arm 11 and the final and precise positioning is performed moving means 9 arranged directly on the cleaning device. This enables to attach the cleaning device to existing lifting arm systems, such as hydraulic arm, telescopic arm and similar lifting comprised on a vehicle or a trailer which may be displaced, as shown in figure 13.

[0108] The cleaning device may also be arranged on a lifting arm having another purpose of use, for example, transporting people or transporting material.

[0109] The moving means 9 as also the advantage of avoiding an operator to perform physical effort and to enable the cleaning device to be heavier.

[0110] Figure 12 shows an example of a control means 16.

[0111] The control means 16 is operatively connected to the cleaning device.

[0112] The operative connection may comprise a cable connection or wireless.

[0113] The control means 16 may be operatively connected to all or at least the actuator device 4, the washing means 5, the positioning means 8, the moving means 9, the pressure cleaning means 12.

[0114] The control means 16 may comprise one or a plurality of screens 24 to display various information to the operator. For example, the screens 24 may display the distance between the street light head 6 and the distance sensors 8a arranged inside the cleaning box 1, the cleaning pressure of the pressure cleaning means 12, the volume of liquid 14 remaining in the reservoir 15.

[0115] The screens 24 may also display the images taken by the cameras 8b arranged inside and / or outside the cleaning box 1.

[0116] The control means 16 may comprise one or a plurality of control levers such as joysticks 25 which allows the operator to control the moving means 9 and to orientate and displace the cleaning box 1.

[0117] The joysticks 25 may also control the actuator device 4 and control the opening of the closing of the first shell 2a and the second shell 2b.

[0118] The control means 16 may comprise one or a plurality of control buttons (not represented) enabling the control of the washing means 5, for example of the solenoid valve enabling to convey or not the high pressurized water to a nozzle or a network of nozzles of the washing means 5.

[0119] The movements and actions of the cleaning device may therefore be controlled via a wireless or cabled control means 16 allowing the control of the hydraulic cylinders or linear actuator of the moving means 9 or electric motors of the actuator device 4 for the positioning and the opening and closing of the cleaning box 1, as well as for the control of the solenoid valves of the washing means 5 and the water pump of the pressure cleaning means 12, rendering possible to isolate or not certain water circuits in order to supply locally or generally the outlet nozzles with water.

[0120] The invention also concerns a method for cleaning a street light head 6 using a cleaning device of the invention, as depicted in figure 14.

[0121] The cleaning method comprises the step of displacing the cleaning device with the cleaning box 1 in the open position until the street light head 6 is located between the first and the second shells of the cleaning device.

[0122] The cleaning method further comprise the step closing the cleaning box in the cleaning position, the street light head 6 being located inside the cleaning box 1.

[0123] The street light head 6 is then cleaned or washed by the washing means 5.

[0124] Once the cleaning is executed, the, cleaning box 1 is opened and displaced until the street light head 6 is located away from the first shell 2a and the second shells 2b.

[0125] The cleaning device according to the invention can therefore clean a wide variety of street lights attached horizontally or vertically, without the need to change the cleaning device system.

[0126] In addition, the device is able to clean street lights that have glass windows on several sides.

[0127] With the sealing systems and recycling means described, a closed loop of the water circuit reduces water consumption, as well as that of the traveling vehicle.

[0128] The cleaning device 1 may be totally powered by electricity without the need of other energy sources to increase the device ecological sustainability. The actuator device 4, positioning means 8, cleaning means (12) comprising the pump (23) may be only electrically powered.

[0129] The cleaning device may be efficiently controlled by a single operator who remains on the ground.

[0130] The cleaning device may be used with a completely new developed telescopic system or attached to a lifting arm system, such as hydraulic arm, telescopic arm and similar lifting comprised on a vehicle or a trailer. The cleaning device may also be arranged on a lifting arm having another purpose of use, for example, transporting people or transporting materials.

[0131] While the invention has been disclosed with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to the described embodiments, and equivalents thereof, are possible without departing from the sphere and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and be given the broadest reasonable interpretation in accordance with the language of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a street light head comprising: - a cleaning box (1), an outer periphery of which is defined by at least a first shell (2a) and a second shell (2b) opposed to each other, the first and the second shells (2a, 2b) delimiting a hollow inside space (3) of the cleaning box (1), and the first shell (2a) and / or the second shell (2b) being configured to move from an open position in which the cleaning box (1) is open and configured to allow the street light head (6) to be positioned inside the cleaning box (1), to a cleaning position in which the cleaning box (1) is closed; - an actuator device (4) configured to move the first shell (2a) and / or the second shell (2b) between the open position and the closed position; and - a washing means (5) arranged in the hollow inside space (3) and configured to clean the street light head (6) characterized in that - the hollow inside space (3) is adapted to accommodate the entire street light head (6); and - the cleaning box (1) comprises sealing means configured to avoid liquid projection outside the cleaning box (1) when the cleaning box (1) is in the cleaning position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the washing means (5) comprises at least one high pressure water jet system and / or at least one brush system.

3. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first shell or the second shell comprises a first recess (7a) arranged on a side of the first or the second shell (2a, 2b) and configured to accommodate an arm (8) of the street light head (6), when the street light head (6) is positioned inside the cleaning box (1), in the hollow inside space (3).

4. The device according to the preceding claim, wherein the first shell (2a) and the second shell (2b) comprise a second recess (7b), the first recess (7a) and the second recess (7b) being coincident.

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first shell (2a) and the second shell (2b) comprise several recesses (7a, 7b) arranged on different sides of the first and the second shell (2a, 2b), the recesses arranged on the first shell (2a) being coincident with the recesses arranged on the second shell (2b).

6. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cleaning box (1) comprises a positioning means (8) configured to detect a position of the cleaning box (1) relative to the street light head (6).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the positioning means comprises (8) at least one distance sensor (8a) and / or at least one camera (8b), the at least one distance sensor (8a) and / or the at least one camera (8b) being arranged on an outside of the cleaning box (1) or on an inside of the cleaning box (1).

8. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a moving means (9) connected to the cleaning box (1) and configured to move and to orientate the cleaning box in a three-dimensional space.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the moving means (9) comprises connection means (10) configured to connect the moving means (9) to a telescopic arm (11).

10. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises a pressure cleaning means (12) comprising a pump (23), a reservoir (13) and configured to move a liquid (14) from the reservoir (13) to the washing means (5).

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the pressure cleaning means (12) further comprises a liquid recycling means (15) configured to collect and filtrate a used liquid from the cleaning box (1).

12. The device according to any one of the preceding claims 7 to 10, wherein the device further comprises a control means (16) configured to operate the cleaning box (1), the washing means (5) and a moving means (9) and indicates the position of the cleaning box (1) relative to the street light head (6).

13. A method for cleaning a street light head (6) using a cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising the steps of: a. displacing the cleaning device with the cleaning box (1) in the open position until the entire street light head (6) is located between the first shell (2a) and the second shell (2b), of the cleaning device; b. closing the cleaning box (1) in the cleaning position; c. washing the street light head (6) with the washing means (5); and d. opening the cleaning box (1) and displacing the cleaning device until the street light head (6) is located away from the first shell (2a) and the second shell (2b).

14. A vehicle comprising the cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the cleaning device being attached to a lifting arm system of the vehicle.