Sole cleaning device

Abstract

To provide a sole cleaning device capable of preventing a foreign matter from scattering to the outside of a cleaning tank.SOLUTION: A sole cleaning device 100 includes: a cleaning tank 12; a brush 20 for cleaning a sole inside the cleaning tank; and a circulation mechanism 30 arranged so as to surround the brush. The brush includes: a base plate 22 having a hair bundle 24 attached in a predetermined arrangement and rotatably driven; and a foot placement part 26 configured to enable a relative standstill to the base plate by being configured to rotatable with an axial center coincident on the base plate and allowing the sole to be placed thereon. The circulation mechanism includes: a fan 34 arranged on a front face side or a rear face side of the cleaning tank while a suction side faces an inner part of the cleaning tank; a filter 36 arranged on the suction side; and a pair of flow paths 40 communicating with a flowing side of the fan, positioned above the brush, and capable of blowing gas from each of right and left inner side face sides of the cleaning tank toward a direction of the brush. Gas is circulated inside the cleaning tank by gas blowing from each flow path and suction of the gas into the fan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe sole cleaning device, and more particularly to a shoe sole cleaning device that cleans by bringing a rotating brush having a tuft of bristles into contact with the sole of a shoe. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, shoe sole cleaning devices that clean shoe soles are used in a variety of situations, such as food preparation and processing sites, agricultural work sites, civil engineering work sites, etc. As an example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-178010 A) discloses a shoe sole cleaning device developed by the applicant of the present application.

[0003] That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for cleaning the sole of a shoe by rotating a brush having a base plate to which a tuft of bristles is attached and spraying cleaning water onto the tuft of bristles. Also, a foot rest is provided on the base plate, which has a common axis of rotation and can be made stationary relative to the base plate by placing the foot on it (i.e., by bringing the sole of the shoe into contact with it). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-178010 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there was a need to use the shoe sole cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 1 in places where a water source cannot be drawn or where water is undesirable, but when cleaning shoe soles (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "cleaning shoe soles") without using cleaning water (i.e., by a dry method), the dirt removed from the shoe soles (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "foreign matter") floats up in the cleaning tank (cleaning tank) and the foreign matter scatters outside the cleaning tank. In other words, when cleaning shoe soles by a dry method using the shoe sole cleaning device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a problem occurred in that hygiene could not be maintained. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a shoe sole cleaning device that can suppress the flying up of foreign matter and prevent foreign matter from scattering outside the cleaning tub when cleaning the soles of shoes in a dry manner.

[0007] The present invention solves the above problems by the solution means described below as one embodiment.

[0008] In other words, the disclosed shoe sole cleaning device comprises a cleaning tub, a brush for cleaning the soles of shoes inside the cleaning tub, and a circulation mechanism arranged to surround the brush, wherein the brush has a base plate to which a bundle of bristles is attached in a predetermined arrangement and which is driven to rotate, and a footrest portion on which the foot is placed so that the sole of the shoe is abutted against the base plate by being configured to be rotatable with its axis aligned on the base plate, and the brush is configured to be stationary relative to the base plate, and the circulation mechanism has a fan arranged on the front or rear side, or the front and rear sides, of the cleaning tub with its suction side facing the inside of the cleaning tub, a filter provided on the suction side, and a pair of flow paths that communicate with the blowing side of the fan and are located above the brush, and are capable of blowing gas from each of the left and right inner sides of the cleaning tub toward the brush, and is configured to circulate the gas inside the cleaning tub by blowing the gas from each of the flow paths and sucking the gas into the fan. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the above-described embodiment, in dry-type shoe sole cleaning, foreign matter can be guided to the filter while suppressing the floating of foreign matter in the tub, and the scattering of foreign matter outside the tub can be prevented. In other words, the hygienic aspect of the shoe sole cleaning device can be improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a top perspective view of a shoe sole cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a plan view of a shoe sole cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is another plan view of the shoe sole cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 2. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a first flow path and a second flow path of a shoe sole cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a shoe sole cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the upper part of a shoe sole cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 excluding the main body 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 excluding the shatterproof cover 14a and the shatterproof brush 16 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 of FIG. 2 taken along line IV-IV. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 of FIG. 2 taken along line VV. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 44 of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 may be indicated by arrows in the drawings. Furthermore, in all the drawings for explaining an embodiment, members having the same functions are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof may be omitted.

[0012] <Overview of the shoe sole cleaning device 100> The shoe sole cleaning device 100 is a device used for cleaning shoe soles not only in food preparation and processing sites, agricultural and civil engineering sites, etc., but also in semiconductor-related, food-related and other sites requiring clean rooms where a water source cannot be drawn or where moisture is undesirable, etc. In addition, the types of shoes whose soles are to be cleaned include, but are not limited to, boots, safety shoes, and other work shoes.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the shoe sole cleaning device 100 includes a main body 10. The main body 10 houses a cleaning tub 12, a brush 20 for cleaning the soles of shoes inside the cleaning tub 12, and a circulation mechanism 30 arranged to surround the brush 20 (particularly, to surround it in a plan view). The main body 10 is formed as a housing having an opening on the top surface. A user wearing shoes can insert their foot into the cleaning tub 12 from the opening and bring their foot into contact with the brush 20 to clean the sole of their shoe.

[0014] <Main body 10> The main body 10 has a sensor (e.g., an infrared sensor) 10a. When the sensor 10a detects the user's foot, the brush 20 is rotated for a predetermined time (e.g., about 10 seconds), and the circulation mechanism 30 is operated for a predetermined time (e.g., about 15 seconds). The order of the start and end of the rotation of the brush 20 and the operation of the circulation mechanism 30 is not particularly limited, but it is preferable that the circulation mechanism 30 is operated at least while the brush 20 is rotating.

[0015] The rotation of the brush 20 and the operation of the circulation mechanism 30 are not limited to those caused by the sensor 10a. As another example, the main body 10 may be configured to have a manual switch (not shown).

[0016] <Cleaning tank 12> As an example, the cleaning tub 12 is formed in a bottomed box shape (i.e., a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open top) using a metal material (e.g., stainless steel alloy, etc.). Furthermore, the shoe sole cleaning device 100 has two cleaning tubs 12 arranged in parallel, but is not limited to this. In other words, the shoe sole cleaning device 100 may have one cleaning tub 12 into which one or both feet can be inserted, or may have three or more cleaning tubs 12 arranged in parallel.

[0017] 5, the cleaning tank 12 has an opening 12a that communicates with a filter 36. Foreign matter can be collected into the filter 36 by a fan 34 via the opening 12a.

[0018] 2, 4, and 5, each cleaning tank 12 has a scattering prevention cover 14 (14a) on the upper left and right side surfaces (i.e., the upper part of each flow path 40 described later) that covers a part of the brush 20 in a plan view. As an example, the scattering prevention cover 14a is formed using a gel material (e.g., adhesive urethane gel) and has a thickness of about several mm and a width of about several cm, but is not limited to this.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, the splash prevention cover 14a is inclined toward the inside of the cleaning tank 12 at a predetermined angle (approximately 10° to 30°), but is not limited to this.

[0020] Each cleaning tank 12 has a splash prevention cover 14 (14b) that covers a part of the brush 20 in a plan view at the bottom of each flow path 40 described later. The splash prevention cover 14b is formed, for example, using a metal material (for example, stainless steel alloy) and has a thickness of about several mm and a width of about several cm, but is not limited thereto.

[0021] However, it is preferable that the width of each shatterproof cover 14 is greater than the width of each flow path at least in a plan view.

[0022] By providing the scattering prevention covers 14 (14a, 14b), even if foreign matter is blown up from the cleaning tub 12, the foreign matter can be prevented from scattering outside the cleaning tub 12, improving hygiene. Furthermore, by providing the scattering prevention covers 14 (14a, 14b), the user can clean the soles of his / her shoes in a stable position.

[0023] Each cleaning tank 12 may have a configuration in which at least one of the upper and lower parts of each flow path 40 has a scattering prevention cover 14a, 14b that covers a part of the brush 20 in a plan view.

[0024] In addition, the cleaning tank 12 has a scattering prevention brush 16 that covers a part of the brush 20 in a plan view above the flow path 40 on each of the front and rear inner surfaces. The scattering prevention brush 16 has a bristle bundle made of a resin material (for example, a conductive material such as polyamide synthetic resin), but is not limited to this. The bristle bundle of the scattering prevention brush 16 extends in the horizontal direction, but is not limited to this. That is, the bristle bundle of the scattering prevention brush 16 may be arranged with an inclination toward the upper or lower direction. By providing the scattering prevention brush 16, as with the scattering prevention cover 14, even if foreign matter is blown up from the cleaning tank 12, it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from scattering outside the cleaning tank 12, thereby improving hygiene. Furthermore, by providing the scattering prevention brush 16, it is possible to remove foreign matter attached to the toes and heels when the user removes his / her feet from the cleaning tank 12.

[0025] Furthermore, each cleaning tub 12 is provided with a fixed footrest 18 at the center in the front-rear direction. As an example, the fixed footrest 18 is formed in a columnar (particularly cylindrical) shape with a diameter of about 1 cm to 2 cm using a metal material (for example, stainless steel alloy, etc.). The cylindrical fixed footrest 18 is disposed between the left and right side surfaces of the cleaning tub 12, and can be used as a footrest when the user uses the shoe sole cleaning device 100. This allows the user to clean the soles of their shoes in a stable position.

[0026] An adhesive sheet (not shown) is provided on at least one of the bottom and side surfaces of the cleaning tub 12. The adhesive sheet has, as an example, a resin film (e.g., adhesive urethane gel), but is not limited thereto. By providing the adhesive sheet, foreign matter that has fallen off the sole of a shoe onto the bottom of the cleaning tub 12 can be retained and prevented from flying up, improving hygiene.

[0027] <Brush 20> Two brushes 20 are provided in the front-rear direction at the bottom of each cleaning tank 12. For convenience, the brushes 20 may be referred to as a right front brush 20R1, a right rear brush 20R2, a left front brush 20L1, and a left rear brush 20L2.

[0028] Each brush 20 has a flat (particularly, disc-shaped) base plate 22 , bristle bundles 24 attached in a predetermined arrangement on the base plate 22 , and a foot rest 26 provided in the center of the base plate 22 .

[0029] Each base plate 22 is formed, by way of example only, using a metal material (such as a stainless steel alloy) with an outer diameter of about 150 mm and a thickness of about several mm, but is not limited thereto.

[0030] Each base plate 22 may be inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, about 3°) from the center of the upper surface toward the outside in the radial direction. This prevents dirt from remaining in the center of the base plate 22, thereby improving hygiene.

[0031] Each base plate 22 is rotated by a drive source 50 via a drive mechanism (not shown) composed of gears, chains, etc. As a result, the base plate 22 rotates in a horizontal plane, causing each bristles 24 to rub against the sole of the shoe, thereby cleaning the sole of the shoe.

[0032] As an example, the bristle bundle 24 is configured by bundling a plurality of bristles (linear bodies) (for example, about 10 to 20 bristles) with a total length of about 40 mm formed using a resin material (for example, polyamide synthetic resin, etc.) into a unit bundle, and then arranging the unit bundles in a row from the center toward the outside in the radial direction on the base plate 22 except for the area where the foot rest portion 26 is arranged. As an example, it is preferable that the rows are arranged in 5 to 8 rows (6 rows in this embodiment) in the circumferential direction, but this is not limited thereto. With the above configuration, a space can be created in which the bristle bundle 24 can bend when cleaning the sole of a shoe, so that the bristle bundle 24 can bend and the cleaning effect can be improved. In addition, since the density of the bristle bundle 24 is reduced, the bristle bundle 24 can easily enter the grooves of the sole of the shoe, and the cleaning effect can be improved even for a sole with a complex shape. Furthermore, even if dirt adheres to the bristle bundle 24, the dirt is blown away by the momentum of the bristle bundle 24 as it returns to its original shape, so that the dirt does not remain on the bristle bundle 24. Therefore, the problem of re-adherence of dirt to the next user can be eliminated, and hygiene can be improved.

[0033] It should be noted that the bristle bundle 24 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the bristle bundle 24 may be configured such that a plurality of bristles (linear bodies) with a total length of about 40 mm formed using a resin material (e.g., polyamide synthetic resin, etc.) are arranged in a row from the center to the outside in the radial direction on the base plate 22 except for the area where the footrest 26 is arranged (i.e., a row of upward rail-shaped brushes).

[0034] As described above, the bristle bundle 24 is preferably made of a conductive material. By using a conductive material for the bristle bundle 24, the generation of static electricity due to friction between the bristle bundle 24 and the sole of the shoe is suppressed, and further, by removing the charge on the sole of the shoe, adhesion of foreign matter to the bristle bundle 24 is reduced and re-adhesion of foreign matter to the sole of the shoe is suppressed. In other words, hygiene can be improved.

[0035] 5, footrest section 26 has footrest ball 26a, multiple ball receivers 26b, main body 26c, and base 26e. Footrest section 26 is rotatable on base plate 22 with its axis aligned, and is therefore stationary relative to base plate 22, allowing the foot to be placed with the sole of the shoe in contact therewith.

[0036] The main body 26c is formed of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel alloy, etc.) as an example, and has a space in which the foot rest ball 26a and a plurality of receiving balls 26b supporting the foot rest ball 26a can be arranged. That is, the inner surface of the space is formed in a curved shape, and a plurality of receiving balls 26b are arranged rotatably along the curved shape in the space of the main body 26c, and the foot rest ball 26a is placed on the plurality of receiving balls 26b. In addition, a part of the foot rest ball 26a (for example, about 1 / 2 the radius of the foot rest ball 26a) is exposed from the opening of the space of the main body 26c, so that the user can place his / her foot. Furthermore, the height position of the foot rest ball 26a is configured to be the same height position as the fixed foot rest part 18, but is not limited to this. This allows the user to clean the sole of the shoe with a stable posture. The foot rest ball 26a is also formed of a metal material (e.g., stainless steel alloy, etc.) as an example, and has a diameter of about several centimeters. Ball receiving ball 26b is also formed of a metal material (such as a stainless steel alloy) and has a diameter of about several mm to 1 cm. Base 26e is also formed of a metal material (such as a stainless steel alloy) as an example.

[0037] With the above configuration, when a user places his / her foot on the footrest ball 26a and rotates the brush 20, the footrest ball 26a rolls over the multiple receiving balls 26b and comes to a standstill relative to the brush 20. This allows the brush 20 of this embodiment to stably clean the sole of a shoe even when the user places his / her foot on the footrest ball 26a.

[0038] In addition, a plurality of through holes 26d are formed in the lower space of main body 26c. The diameter of each of through holes 26d is about several mm, and is formed to be smaller than the diameter of ball receiving 26b so that ball receiving 26b does not fall. With the above configuration, when cleaning the sole, dirt that has entered through the gap between foot rest ball 26a and main body 26c is discharged outside the space of main body 26c through through holes 26d, thereby improving hygiene.

[0039] The footrest 26 is not limited to the above configuration, and other known footrests may be used.

[0040] <Circulation mechanism 30> Next, the circulation mechanism 30 will be described in detail. The circulation mechanism 30 is provided for each cleaning tank 12, and for each cleaning tank 12, it has two fans 34, two filters 36, two storage sections 38, and a pair of flow paths 40. That is, the circulation mechanism 30 is disposed so that the two storage sections 38 and the pair of flow paths 40 surround the front and rear brushes 20 in a plan view as shown in FIG.

[0041] Each storage section 38 is attached to the outside (i.e., the outside of cleaning tank 12 as a housing) of the front or rear side (including both) of cleaning tank 12. Each storage section 38 is formed with a first opening 38b communicating with an opening of cleaning tank 12 and a second opening 38c communicating with a pair of flow paths 40 described later.

[0042] As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a fan 34 and a filter 36 are disposed inside each storage section 38, and the fan 34 separates the suction side from the blowing side.

[0043] Furthermore, a cover 32 is attached to the top of each storage section 38, and is sealed so that gas does not leak from any opening other than the first opening 38b and the second opening 38c.

[0044] The fan 34 is disposed on the front or rear side (including both) of the cleaning tank 12 with the suction side facing the inside of the cleaning tank 12 (i.e., the first opening 38b side). That is, the fan 34 is disposed so that the suction side is located on the front or rear side (including both) of the cleaning tank 12 and the blowing side communicates with a pair of flow paths 40 described later, and the single fan 34 can cause gas circulation within the cleaning tank 12.

[0045] Since two fans 34 are provided in one cleaning tank 12, the shoe sole cleaning device 100 is configured to circulate gas in both the front and rear directions inside one cleaning tank 12, but is not limited to this. As another example, one cleaning tank 12 may be configured to have one fan 34 provided on the front side or rear side of the cleaning tank 12. In this case, no partition plate 44c is provided inside the second flow path 44 described below.

[0046] The filter 36 is disposed on the suction side of the fan 34, in front of the fan 34. The filter 36 has a function of collecting and removing foreign matter in the gas when the gas inside the cleaning tank 12 is sucked in by the operation of the fan 34. The filter 36 has a nonwoven fabric filter as an example, but is not limited to this.

[0047] 3 to 5, the circulation mechanism 30 has a pair of flow paths 40 that communicate with the blowing side of the fan 34, are located above the brush 20, and can blow gas from the left and right inner side surfaces of the cleaning tank 12 toward the brush 20. The pair of flow paths 40 are formed using a resin material (e.g., polyvinyl chloride resin) as an example, and communicate with the blowing side of the fan 34 via the internal space 38a of the storage section 38.

[0048] 3, each flow path 40 has a first flow path 42 and a second flow path 44. That is, each flow path 40 is configured to blow gas from the blowing side of the fan 34 to the first flow path 42 and then to the second flow path 44 in that order.

[0049] One second flow path 44 is provided for each of the left and right inner sides of the cleaning tank 12. The second flow paths 44 on each of the left and right inner sides of the cleaning tank 12 are integrally molded with a partition plate 44c provided at the center of the cleaning tank 12 (i.e., a common second flow path 44 is provided on each side of the cleaning tank 12), but is not limited thereto.

[0050] As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the first flow path 42 is provided on the inside in the left-right direction of the cleaning tub 12 relative to the second flow path 44. Furthermore, the first flow path 42 is configured with the air blowing surface 42a vertical (i.e., the air blowing surface 42a faces the horizontal direction). That is, as shown in Fig. 3, the air blowing surface 42a is located on the corner side of the cleaning tub 12 and is configured to be inclined at a predetermined angle toward the brush 20 in a plan view.

[0051] Incidentally, it is preferable that the circulation mechanism 30 blows gas from the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 44 in different directions relative to the brush 20 to generate gas circulation in the cleaning tank 12. As a result of intensive research, the inventors have come up with a configuration in which a branch plate 42c is provided as a side surface of the first flow path 42 on the second flow path 44 side. The branch plate 42c is a side surface of the first flow path 42 on the second flow path 44 side, and is provided so that the first flow path 42 has an inlet of a predetermined width (about several centimeters) on the upstream side. In other words, the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 44 are configured to branch from the branch plate 42c. By providing the branch plate 42c, gas flows in a balanced manner in each of the first flow path 42 and the second flow path 44, and suitable gas circulation can be generated in the cleaning tank 12.

[0052] In addition, a plurality of through holes 42b with a diameter of about several mm are formed in the blowing surface 42a along the length direction of the first flow path 42, and gas is blown from the plurality of through holes 42b. As an example, the plurality of through holes 42b are formed perpendicular to the blowing surface 42a. That is, the first flow path 42 is configured to blow air in a horizontal direction. Note that the plurality of through holes 42b are not limited to the above configuration, and as another example, they are formed at a predetermined angle (for example, about 20° to 60°) with respect to the blowing surface 42a (that is, the axis of each through hole 42b faces downward). In addition, the blowing surface 42a may be configured to be inclined downward at a predetermined angle toward the brush 20. Furthermore, a plurality of slits (not shown) may be formed in the blowing surface 42a instead of the plurality of through holes 42b.

[0053] In addition, both sides of the first flow path 42 are formed by the air blowing surface 42a and the branching plate 42c, and the first flow path 42 is configured so that the cross-sectional area gradually decreases from the upstream to the downstream. More specifically, the air blowing surface 42a and the branching plate 42c are configured to intersect at a position farthest from the inlet of the first flow path 42. With the above configuration, the airflow blown from each through hole 42b described later is made uniform (i.e., the wind speed is uniform), and it is possible to prevent foreign matter from flying up in the cleaning tank 12.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the second flow passage 44 is provided in a cylindrical shape (triangular cylindrical shape in this embodiment) along each of the left and right inner surfaces of the cleaning tank 12. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, the second flow passage 44 is provided with an air blowing surface 44a inclined at a predetermined angle toward the brush 20. That is, the area of ​​the inlet of the second flow passage 44 is configured to be smaller than the area of ​​the inlet of the first flow passage 42. Since the second flow passage 44 is formed to have a longer flow passage length than the first flow passage 42, by making the area of ​​the inlet of the second flow passage 44 smaller than the area of ​​the inlet of the first flow passage 42, air can be blown in a balanced manner from the first flow passage 42 and the second flow passage 44.

[0055] In addition, a plurality of slits 44b are formed in the blowing surface 44a along the length direction of the second flow path 44, and gas is blown through the plurality of slits 44b. The plurality of slits 44b are formed perpendicular to the blowing surface 44a, but are not limited to this. As another example, the plurality of slits 44b are formed at a predetermined angle inclined to the blowing surface 44a so that the blowing direction faces the direction of the brush 20, and the blowing surface 44a may be configured vertically (i.e., the blowing surface 44a faces horizontally). In addition, a plurality of through holes (not shown) may be formed in the blowing surface 44a instead of the plurality of slits 44b.

[0056] Next, the circulation of gas by the circulation mechanism 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. The circulation mechanism 30 is configured to circulate gas inside the cleaning tank 12 by blowing gas from each flow path 40 and sucking gas into the fan 34. That is, the circulation mechanism 30 is configured to generate a circular gas circulation as shown in FIG. 7 between one fan 34 and a pair of flow paths 40. Note that FIG. 7 shows only the front side of one cleaning tank 12 (i.e., the side of the toes of the user's feet). Inside one cleaning tank 12, two gas circulations are generated by one fan 34 and a pair of flow paths 40.

[0057] The outline of the gas circulation caused by the fan 34 is as follows. That is, by operating the fan 34, an airflow in the direction A is generated from the inside of the cleaning tank 12 toward the filter 36 on the suction side of the fan 34. Also, by operating the fan 34, an airflow in the direction B is generated from the internal space 38a of the storage section 38 toward the flow path 40 on the blowing side of the fan 34. The airflow in the direction B branches into an airflow in the direction C toward the first flow path 42 and an airflow in the direction E toward the second flow path 44. The airflow in the direction C flows into the inside of the cleaning tank 12 as an airflow in the direction D through the multiple through holes 42b. Also, the airflow in the direction E flows through the second flow path 44 and flows into the inside of the cleaning tank 12 as an airflow in the direction F through the multiple slits 44b. Then, the airflows in the directions D and F become airflows in the direction A, and are sucked again toward the filter 36 by the fan 34.

[0058] <Example> Next, an embodiment of cleaning the soles of shoes using the shoe sole cleaning device 100 will be described in detail.

[0059] First, when a user inserts his / her feet into the cleaning tub 12 while still wearing shoes, the sensor 10a detects the user's feet, and a control unit (not shown) activates the circulation mechanism 30.

[0060] The user also places the soles of one or both feet on each footrest 26 (i.e., footrest balls 26a) and the fixed footrest 18. The soles are also in contact with the tips of the bristles 24.

[0061] A few seconds (about 2 to 3 seconds) after the circulation mechanism 30 is activated, the control unit activates the drive source 50. That is, the brush 20 is rotated by driving each base plate 22 to rotate in a horizontal plane, and the bristle bundles 24 are rubbed against the shoe sole.

[0062] The rotation direction of the base plate 22 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the brushes 20 in one cleaning tank 12 are rotated in the same direction, and the brushes in the other cleaning tank 12 are rotated in the opposite direction to the brushes in the one cleaning tank 12. As an example, the left front brush 20L1 and the left rear brush 20L2 are rotated counterclockwise, and the right front brush 20R1 and the right rear brush 20R2 are rotated clockwise. With the above configuration, the user can clean the soles of his / her shoes in a stable posture.

[0063] When the bristle bundle 24 is rubbed against the sole of the shoe, foreign matter (dust, dirt, hair, etc.) attached to the sole of the shoe falls off, but because the circulation mechanism 30 generates air currents A, D, and F within the cleaning tank 12, the foreign matter is captured by the filter 36 and the foreign matter is prevented from flying downward from the cleaning tank 12.

[0064] In addition, when the user rotates the base plate 22 while placing the sole of his / her shoe against the footrest ball 26a, the footrest ball 26a rolls over the multiple receiving balls 26b and becomes stationary relative to the cleaning tub 12.

[0065] The drive source 50 is stopped after several tens of seconds (about 10 seconds), and the circulation mechanism 30 is also stopped a few seconds later (about 4 to 5 seconds). Therefore, the circulation mechanism 30 is operating at least while the foreign matter is falling off the shoe soles, so that the foreign matter can be prevented from flying up and scattering outside the cleaning tub 12. In other words, the hygiene of the shoe sole cleaning device 100 and the environment in which the device is placed can be improved.

[0066] As described above, according to the present invention, even when used in a place where a water source cannot be drawn or where moisture is undesirable, the provision of the circulation mechanism 30 not only guides foreign matter inside the cleaning tub 12 to the filter 36, but also prevents the foreign matter inside the cleaning tub 12 from flying up and scattering outside the cleaning tub 12. This improves the hygiene of the shoe sole cleaning device 100.

[0067] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 12 Cleaning tank 14a, 14b Shatterproof cover 16 Shatterproof Brush 20 Brushes 22 Base plate 24 Hair bundle 26 Footrest 30 Circulation mechanism 34 Fans 36 Filters 40 Flow Path 42 First Channel 42b Through hole 42c Branch plate 44 Second Stream 44b Slit

Claims

1. The cleaning device includes a cleaning tub, a brush for cleaning the soles of shoes inside the cleaning tub, and a circulation mechanism disposed to surround the brush. The brush includes a base plate on which bristle bundles are attached in a predetermined arrangement and which is driven to rotate; a foot rest portion configured to be rotatable on the base plate with the axis being aligned with the base plate, and configured to be stationary relative to the base plate, and on which the foot is placed so that the sole of the shoe comes into contact with the foot rest portion; The circulation mechanism includes a fan arranged on the front side or rear side, or on the front side and rear side, of the cleaning tank with a suction side facing the inside of the cleaning tank; A filter provided on the suction side; A pair of flow paths are provided that communicate with the blowing side of the fan and are located above the brush, and that can blow gas from the left and right inner surfaces of the cleaning tank toward the brush. The gas is circulated inside the cleaning tank by blowing the gas from each of the flow paths and sucking the gas into the fan. A shoe sole cleaning device comprising:

2. Each of the flow paths is provided with a plurality of slits or a plurality of through holes along the length of the flow path.

2. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 1,

3. Each of the flow paths has a first flow path and a second flow path that blow air in order from the blowing side of the fan.

3. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. The first flow path has a branch plate that is a side surface on the second flow path side, The first flow path and the second flow path are configured to branch off from the branch plate.

4. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 3,

5. The area of ​​the inlet of the second flow path is smaller than the area of ​​the inlet of the first flow path.

4. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 3,

6. The first flow path has a cross-sectional area that gradually decreases from the upstream to the downstream of the first flow path.

4. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 3,

7. The cleaning tank further includes a splash prevention cover that covers a part of the brush in a plan view at least in one of the upper and lower parts of each of the flow paths.

3. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

8. The cleaning tank further includes a splash prevention brush that covers a part of the brush in a plan view at an upper portion of the flow path on each of the front and rear inner surfaces.

3. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

9. An adhesive sheet is provided on at least one of the bottom and side surfaces of the cleaning tank.

3. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

10. The hair bundle is made of a conductive material.

3. The shoe sole cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

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