Method for wet cleaning synthetic grass and wet cleaning device for carrying out the method

Abstract

A method for wet cleaning granule-free artificial turf or all-weather flooring, as well as a wet cleaning device 10 for carrying out the method, are provided. The wet cleaning device 10 has two separate pipes 9 and 11. Cleaning fluid 7 is supplied under pressure to the actual cleaning area 5 via slot nozzles through the first pipe 9, while compressed air 8 is supplied via a second pipe 11, located above the first pipe 9. This compressed air is blown into the spaces 6 between the flat conical jets from the slot nozzles for the cleaning fluid 7. The combination of pressurized cleaning fluid 7 and compressed air 8 for agitating the particles to be cleaned, which are then picked up by the cleaning fluid 7 and removed from the wet cleaning device 10 via outlet pipes 12, ensures a high cleaning efficiency for artificial turf 1, especially granule-free artificial turf.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for wet cleaning of granule-free artificial turf or all-weather flooring and a wet cleaning device according to the preamble of claim 3.

[0002] Artificial turf fields, especially artificial turf hockey fields, must be cleaned regularly, usually once or twice a year. On the one hand, these artificial turf fields are subject to environmental pollution and algae growth. This pollution must be removed. In addition, regular use and the aforementioned natural influences cause abrasion, which includes microplastics that must be removed from the artificial turf fields. The cleaning of the artificial turf fields must be carried out in such a way that harmful substances, especially microplastics, do not enter the natural cycle.

[0003] A fundamental distinction must be made between artificial turf with and without granule infill. With granule infill, it is practically impossible to avoid removing some of the granules during cleaning. On the other hand, the granules must be cleaned of the aforementioned contaminants and then returned to the artificial turf. This makes the cleaning process complex and therefore relatively expensive. With granule infill, the weight of the cleaning equipment, which exerts pressure on the artificial turf and thus on the granules, is a critical factor to prevent the granules from becoming too compacted. Artificial turf and artificial turf hockey fields that operate without granule infill are also known.These granule-free artificial turf fields have the advantage over those filled with granules that they require less maintenance, but are more slippery, especially when wet-cleaned with cleaning fluid in the form of water.

[0004] Wet cleaning systems are generally known to use relatively hard, rotating brushes, which produce not only usage-related plastic abrasion, particularly microplastic abrasion, but also cleaning-related plastic and microplastic abrasion. The smaller the plastic particles, the more easily they can be released uncontrollably into the air and thus into the environment. This is even more critical for artificial turf fields or artificial turf hockey fields without granular infill, as the cleaning system's excessive weight can compress the turf and damage it. Therefore, cleaning systems must be as lightweight as possible.

[0005] Known in the art are cleaning devices and methods in which water is applied to the surface of artificial turf fields using rotating brushes and then removed with a suitable suction system. It is assumed that the airborne microplastic particles are bound by the water, allowing for relatively dust-free and controlled cleaning, and the removal of the collected particles. The removal of microplastic particles, in particular, is of increasing importance because inhaling any microplastic particles present can cause health problems for players. Furthermore, wind and weather conditions can disperse the microplastic particles into the environment, thus unintentionally entering the natural cycle.

[0006] Furthermore, it is known in the prior art to use dry cleaning methods based on air to protect the artificial turf fibers. A disadvantage of this prior art is that small particles, such as microplastic particles, are stirred up, increasing the risk of these microplastic particles entering the environment. This is because, simply by moving a cleaning system over the surface of an artificial turf field or artificial turf hockey field for cleaning purposes, a 100% seal cannot be achieved at the housing where the cleaning unit passes over the surface of the artificial turf. Moreover, cleaning artificial turf fields with granule infill using air is difficult because not only the microplastic particles to be removed, but also at least the smaller granule particles of the infill are stirred up.Dry cleaning of artificial turf requires a relatively large effort to purify the air, which is now enriched with abrasion particles, before it can be reused. This is also necessary when wet cleaning with water, so that the water can be reused.

[0007] This leads to compromises in the cleaning of artificial turf fields, which are constantly increasing in number. These compromises no longer guarantee reliable and environmentally friendly cleaning of these artificial turf fields to the extent required by ecological and health regulations.

[0008] EP 3 704 308 B1 describes an artificial turf cleaning system and a corresponding method. The known artificial turf cleaning system is used for artificial turf hockey fields infested with algae. In this known system, instead of an algaecide, an artificial turf cleaner suitable for artificial grass is used. This cleaner uses a cleaning fluid mixture with which the artificial turf is cleaned by mechanical brushing. After the surface has been brushed, the cleaner is cleaned by applying a vacuum to remove the cleaning mixture from the artificial turf, removing at least some of the algae. Regular and repeated cleaning helps control algae growth. The cleaning mixture consists of a detergent solution and water.The advantage of such detergents is that they are environmentally friendly, unlike algaecides, which are harmful to the environment. Because the detergent mixture is subjected to a vacuum immediately after the cleaning process, very little of the detergent escapes into the environment. However, a significant disadvantage of such a cleaning system is that the use of brushes generates additional microplastic particles, meaning that not only the microplastic particles generated during use but also those generated during cleaning must be removed. Such a known cleaning system can be mounted at the front of a vehicle (i.e., pushed) or at the rear (i.e., pulled). The described cleaning device is designed for use on granule-free artificial turf, specifically for removing algae growth.However, the removal of plastic particles, especially microplastic particles, is not described in this state of the art.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning system and a method with which the cleaning system operates, with which a better cleaning of artificial turf fields is achieved on the basis of wet cleaning, without environmentally harmful substances including microplastic particles entering the environment during or after the cleaning process.

[0010] This problem is solved by a method with the features of claim 1 and by a wet cleaning device with the features of claim 3. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the respective dependent claims.

[0011] In the inventive method for wet cleaning granule-free artificial turf or all-weather flooring, a wet cleaning device located inside a housing is moved across the artificial turf or all-weather flooring to clean it. A combination of water and air is used for cleaning. Water is sprayed from first nozzles into a cleaning area to create a flat cone shape in the cleaning water, and air is blown from a second nozzle into the spaces between the flat cones. The air, which blows particles or substances to be cleaned off the artificial turf, is blown towards the water so that the particles to be cleaned, including microplastic particles, are picked up by the water and carried away from the housing along with the water.Thus, particles or microplastics to be cleaned are removed by means of water carried in a cleaning unit and used for cleaning, whereby the particles carried in the water are removed from the water before it is reused.

[0012] In the cleaning method according to the invention, which operates without the use of brushes, a gentle cleaning process for artificial turf is achieved through the combination of cleaning fluid, preferably water, and air. The water washes the artificial turf, while the air serves to agitate the particles to be removed, straighten the blades of artificial turf, and feed the air laden with particles to be removed to the water, which then carries the water-bound particles out of the cleaning device.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the invention, a wet cleaning device is used for removing particles, including microplastic particles, from granule-free artificial turf or all-weather flooring. The wet cleaning device is preferably designed to be lightweight so that the granule-free artificial turf is not compressed further, or if it is, then only to the greatest extent possible. The wet cleaning device is designed such that a cleaning fluid, under a defined pressure generated by a pump, is sprayed onto the artificial turf or all-weather flooring to be cleaned within a housing. This spray allows the particles to be removed, including microplastic particles, to be absorbed by the cleaning fluid after being removed from the artificial turf and easily transported away with it.According to the invention, a first pipe for the cleaning fluid is arranged in the housing on a first side facing the artificial turf or all-weather surface, below a second pipe for air. On a side of the housing opposite the first side, the cleaning fluid loaded with the particles to be cleaned can be discharged from the housing by means of outlet pipes extending into the housing. Flat nozzles spaced apart from one another are provided along the longitudinal direction of the first pipe, i.e., the fluid pipe. From each fluid nozzle, the cleaning fluid is discharged by means of cone-shaped jets into a region of the housing at a defined pressure. This region is located at a defined distance from the outlet of the cleaning fluid from the fluid nozzle, where each flat cone merges into a continuous fluid jet section in front of a guide ramp.The guide ramp has a rubber lip on its side facing the artificial turf, which seals against the turf and protects it. The continuous liquid jet coverage extends to the guide ramp, thus directing the continuous liquid jet section onto it. The cleaning fluid, laden with particles, then flows over the guide ramp onto the outlet pipes, facilitating the discharge of the cleaning fluid from the housing via the outlet pipes. Compressed air is blown from the second pipe, which is preferably positioned above the liquid nozzles of the first pipe, between the cones and up to the continuous liquid jet section in front of the guide ramp.This compressed air helps to force particles from the surface of the artificial turf into the cleaning fluid. When the cleaning fluid is discharged from the housing, these particles are carried away through the outlet pipes, preventing them from escaping into the surrounding environment. The air blown between the cones of cleaning fluid is directed towards the fluid, capturing and carrying away the suspended particles. In addition to stirring up and blowing the particles towards the water, the air also helps to straighten any artificial turf blades that may have been flattened by use and cleaning. The second pipe is pivotable around its longitudinal axis, allowing the air to be directed onto the artificial turf at an adjustable angle.The combination of cleaning fluid and air increases the cleaning effect by first cleaning the particles from the artificial turf with the cleaning fluid, and additionally, the particles to be cleaned, which are blown out of the artificial turf by compressed air, are so to speak fed into the cleaning fluid, absorbed by it and transported away from the housing with it.

[0014] Preferably, the liquid nozzles, like the air nozzles, are designed as flat nozzles and thus form flat liquid cones which merge on the ramp to form a closed liquid layer. However, it is also possible for the second pipe to have round nozzles, in which an air cone forms as the air exits the round nozzles.

[0015] To further preferably prevent the cone-shaped air exiting the air nozzles from stirring up the particles to be cleaned outside the area and blowing them into the environment, air guide plates extending at least as far as the continuous liquid jet section are preferably arranged above the air nozzles and the guide ramp.

[0016] Preferably, the wet cleaning device is designed such that the particles to be cleaned have a size in the range of at least 50 to 100 µm and up to a maximum of 2 to 10 mm. This means that the wet cleaning device is capable of cleaning even larger particles, which occur particularly through use or which enter the artificial turf through environmental influences, as well as microparticles.

[0017] Preferably, the cleaning fluid is water. It is also preferably possible for the water-based cleaning agent to contain additives for cleaning specific types of soiling on the artificial turf. Such a cleaning agent additive has the advantage, among others, of enabling better or even the complete removal of soiling from the surfaces of the blade-like elements that make up the artificial turf.

[0018] The wet cleaning device preferably includes a cleaning element equipped with a particle filter and / or centrifugal separator. This cleaning element is preferably located in or within the outlet pipes.

[0019] Preferably, the cleaning fluid, purified of particles, can be stored or temporarily stored in a tank and thus fed back from this tank to the first pipe. For the wet cleaning device according to the invention, it is particularly important that the overall structure is lighter than that of prior art cleaning devices in terms of size and mass, so that the artificial turf is not compacted by the weight of the cleaning device, which would make subsequent cleaning more difficult. To achieve a lightweight design, the combination of a cleaning fluid, especially water, and air forms the basis for using lower-powered and therefore lighter pumps, thus enabling the use of a lighter wet cleaning device overall, without reducing cleaning effectiveness compared to conventional devices.Preferably, the fluid pressure achievable with the cleaning fluid pump is designed for a pressure range of 35 to 65 bar, which is considerably lower than in more conventional systems. This allows for the use of smaller and significantly lighter pumps. The same applies preferably to the blower, which blows the compressed air into and out of the second pipe. The blower pressurizes the compressed air to 1.5 to 2.5 bar at a flow rate of 5 to 8 m³ / h. Compared to a blower according to the prior art, this corresponds to a lower power output and therefore lower weight.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the invention, it is also possible that the second tube 11 for the air 8 is arranged in the vertical direction below the first tube 9 for the cleaning fluid.

[0021] Further advantages, application possibilities and details of the invention will now be described using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawing. Figure: a general top view of the wet cleaning device according to the invention with the housing open at the top.

[0022] The figure shows a top view of a wet cleaning device 10 according to the invention, which is enclosed by a housing 2, the upper side of which has been omitted for illustrative purposes. The housing 2 of the wet cleaning device 10 is moved over a granule-free artificial turf 1. During the cleaning process, the wet cleaning device 10 moves over or on the artificial turf, whereby the particles or substances to be removed from the artificial turf 1 are discharged from the wet cleaning device 10 by means of a cleaning fluid 7 in the form of water and, in combination, with air 8. The wet cleaning device 10 has pipes 9, 11 arranged one above the other and, if necessary, next to each other in the lower area shown in the figure.A first tube 9, extending across the entire width of the wet cleaning device 10, has slot nozzles spaced apart along its entire length, which are referred to here as first nozzles 3 and from which a pressurized cleaning fluid 7 emerges. The slot nozzles ensure that a shallow conical jet pattern emerges from the slot nozzles or first nozzles 3 up to an actual cleaning area 5, behind which a guide ramp 14 is arranged. The guide ramp 14 is positioned at a distance from the slot nozzles or first nozzles 3 such that the adjacent first nozzles 3 each form a shallow exit cone, which jet cones touch each other in the area in front of the guide ramp 14. Because the jet cones touch each other in the area in front of the guide ramp, i.e.,When touching the cleaning area 5, a continuous liquid jet section 13 is formed for wet cleaning of the artificial turf 1.

[0023] Above the first pipe 9 for the cleaning fluid 7 in the form of water, a second pipe 11 is provided, which has second nozzles 4, air outlet nozzles. Pressurized air from the second nozzles 4 is blown through the second pipe 11 into a triangular space 6 (in plan view) between the flat conical jet sections, so that the air or compressed air 8 from the second nozzles 4 is directed to the continuous liquid jet section 13.The air 8, directed into these spaces 6 and represented by the arrows pointing essentially vertically upwards in the figure, is intended to agitate particles to be cleaned from the artificial turf 1 and blow them into the area of ​​the continuous liquid jet section 13. In this section, the particles agitated by the air 8 are absorbed by the cleaning fluid 7, so that the cleaning device cleans the artificial turf 1 both directly through the water jets and in combination with the additionally used compressed air 8. The air is directed at the artificial turf at such an angle that its blades are erected.On the side opposite the two pipes, first pipe 9 and second pipe 11, outlet pipes 12 are provided, which serve to suction the water with the absorbed particles from the artificial turf 1 after cleaning by means of a negative pressure via the outlet pipes 12 and to discharge it from the housing 2, in which the immediate wet cleaning device 10 is housed.

[0024] Optionally, the outlet pipes 12 supply the cleaning water 7 loaded with the cleaned particles to a cleaning device in which the particles absorbed by the water are separated from it, so that the water can be reused at least in part and fed back to the wet cleaning device 10 via the first pipe 9 for the cleaning fluid 7 and can be used again for immediate cleaning.

[0025] The pipes arranged one above the other, preferably with an additional lateral offset, i.e. the first pipe 9 and the second pipe 11, are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction, i.e. in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, so that the first pipe 9 does not obstruct the exit of the compressed air 8 from the second pipe 11 into the space 6 between the flat conical jets of the cleaning fluid 7.

[0026] The second nozzles (4) are preferably designed as slot nozzles or as round nozzles arranged in a string-of-pearls pattern.

[0027] The combination of cleaning media—water 7 as the cleaning fluid and air or compressed air 8—allows for higher cleaning efficiency. This enables the pumps and blowers required for water and air pressure to be less powerful, resulting in a reduction in weight. Lower-powered and therefore lighter pumps and blowers can be used. The reduced weight of the actual wet cleaning unit 10 protects the artificial turf during cleaning while still ensuring highly effective cleaning, including the removal of microplastic particles. The removal of microplastic particles is becoming increasingly important from both ecological and health perspectives.This is ensured above all by preventing the release of microplastic particles from the container 2 of the wet cleaning device 10, despite the lower weight of the entire unit.

[0028] Preferably, the first pipe 9 for the cleaning fluid 7 is pivotable about its longitudinal axis in order to adjust the angle of impact of the cleaning fluid 7 on the artificial turf 1 to different artificial turf designs such as different blade density and height.

[0029] Preferably the second pipe 11 for the air 8 is pivotable about its longitudinal axis, so that the angle at which the air 8 hits the artificial turf 1 is adjustable.

[0030] Preferably, both the first tube 9 and the second tube 11 are pivotable about their respective longitudinal axes.

[0031] Additionally, the air helps to re-erect the blades of the artificial turf. This significantly improves the playing quality of the artificial turf. Maintaining or restoring the necessary properties is essential for specific certifications, which are regularly required, particularly in professional sports. The wet cleaning device according to the invention, which works with a combination of water and air, achieves this functionality. Reference symbol list

[0032] 1 Artificial turf 2 Housing 3 First nozzles 4 Second nozzles 5 Cleaning area 6 Intermediate space 7 Cleaning fluid / Water 8 Air / Compressed air 9 First pipe 10 Wet cleaning device 11 Second pipe 12 Outlet pipes 13 Continuous liquid jet section 14 Guide ramp

Claims

1. Method for brushless wet cleaning of granule-free artificial turf (1) or all-weather surface, in which a cleaning fluid (7) in combination with air (8) is used in a housing (2) of a wet cleaning device (10) moving over the artificial turf (1) or all-weather surface for cleaning the artificial turf or the all-weather surface, wherein the cleaning fluid (7) is sprayed from first nozzles (3) in a jet in a flat cone shape into a cleaning area (5) and air (8) is blown from second nozzles (4) into spaces (6) between the flat cones and wherein the cleaning fluid (7) picks up particles including microplastics to be cleaned from the artificial turf (1) or all-weather surface and discharges them from the housing (2).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cleaning fluid (7) is provided by a portable cleaning unit and is reused after separation of the particles including microplastics.

3. Wet cleaning device (10) for granule-free artificial turf (1) or for an all-weather surface for brushless cleaning of particles including microplastics, by means of which a cleaning fluid (7) can be sprayed onto the artificial turf (1) or all-weather surface to be cleaned in a housing (2) under a defined pressure generated by a pump in such a way that the particles to be cleaned are absorbed by the cleaning fluid (7) and can be transported away from the artificial turf (1) or all-weather surface with it, characterized by the fact thatOn a first side of the housing (2) facing the artificial turf (1) or all-weather surface, a first pipe (9) for the cleaning fluid (7) is arranged below a second pipe (11) for air (8), and on a side opposite the first side, the cleaning fluid (7) loaded with the particles to be cleaned can be discharged from the housing (2) by means of outlet pipes (12), wherein the first pipe (9) has first nozzles (3) spaced apart from each other such that cone-shaped jets of the cleaning fluid (7) from each first nozzle meet in a region of the housing (2) in front of a guide ramp (14) forming a continuous liquid jet section (13), which directs the cleaning fluid (7) loaded with particles onto the outlet pipes (12), and wherein second nozzles (4), representing air nozzles arranged between the first nozzles, are formed from the second pipe (11) such thatthat compressed air (8) can be blown between the cones in the direction of the continuous liquid jet section (13).

4. Wet cleaning device (10) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that the second tube (11) can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis in such a way that an angle between the direction of the air exit (8) from the second nozzles (4) and the surface of the artificial turf (1) can be adjusted.

5. Wet cleaning device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that The air (8) blown into the spaces (6) between the cones of cleaning fluid (7) directs the particles stirred up by the artificial turf (1) or all-weather surface towards the cleaning fluid (7) in order to be absorbed by it.

6. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized by the fact that the first nozzles (3) are flat nozzles and form flat liquid cones.

7. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by the fact thatIn the area of ​​the second nozzles (4), which are designed as flat slot nozzles or as round nozzles, air guide plates extending into the area of ​​the continuous liquid jet section (13) are arranged above the second nozzles (4) in the direction of the guide ramp (14).

8. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by the fact that The particles that can be cleaned must have a size x of at least 50 ... 100 µm ≤ x ≤ 2 mm ... 10 mm.

9. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized by the fact that the cleaning fluid (7) is water.

10. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 9, characterized by the fact that The cleaning fluid (7) loaded with particles can be fed via the outlet pipes (12) to a cleaning system with particle filter and / or centrifugal separator.

11. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 10, characterized by the fact thatthe particle-cleaned cleaning fluid (7) can be fed back to the first pipe (9) via a tank.

12. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized by the fact that The pump for the cleaning fluid is designed for a pressure range of 35 - 65 bar.

13. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized by the fact that a blower for the compressed air (8) that can be supplied to the second pipe (11) for a compressed air range of 1.5 to 2.5 bar at 5 to 8 m 3 is designed for / h.

14. Wet cleaning device (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that The angle between the outlet opening of the cleaning fluid (7) from the first nozzles (3) and the surface of the artificial turf (1) is adjustable.

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