Floor surface cleaning device
The floor cleaning device with a rail system and integrated waste and air handling components addresses the need for frequent replacement of cleaning members by enabling continuous cleaning operations, effectively managing both dry and wet cleaning tasks.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023216056
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Existing floor cleaning methods, such as using mops or floor cleaning robots, require frequent replacement of cleaning members, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and do not effectively handle large debris or liquids on the floor.
A floor cleaning device with a first rail and a second rail system that supports the first rail for movement, equipped with a waste moving member, air blowing device, and a spraying device, allowing for repeated cleaning operations without replacing the cleaning member.
Enables continuous cleaning without replacing cleaning components, effectively handling both dry and wet cleaning tasks by collecting large debris and spraying cleaning liquid and air to clean and dry the floor surface.
Smart Images
Figure 2025099413000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a floor cleaning device for cleaning a floor surface.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, mops have been used to clean the floors of stores such as convenience stores and supermarkets, facilities, and toilet floors. For example, small pieces of paper may fall on the toilet floor, or urine droplets may scatter. Also, on the floors of stores such as convenience stores and supermarkets, facilities, receipts may fall, beverages may accidentally spill, or drops from wet umbrellas in the rain may wet the floor inside the store. Regarding the cleaning of toilet floors, the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 below is known.
[0003] Non-Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which when urinating in a standing position, the toilet is raised by a toilet lifting mechanism to suppress toilet dirt, and after use, the toilet and the floor are cleaned by a toilet upper cleaning mechanism and a floor cleaning robot, respectively.
Prior Art Documents
Non-Patent Documents
[0004]
Non-Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] (Problems of the Prior Art) When cleaning the floor using a mop as in the prior art, there was a problem that the mop became dirty after repeated cleaning, and it was time-consuming and labor-intensive to replace and wash the mop. Also, in the prior art described in Non-Patent Document 1, the floor was wiped and cleaned, and there was a problem that the member for wiping the floor needed to be replaced regularly.
[0006] An object of the present invention is to enable repeated cleaning operations without replacing the cleaning member.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0007] To solve the above technical problem, the floor cleaning device according to the invention described in claim 1 is a first rail extending in a first direction and disposed with a gap with respect to the floor surface of the cleaning space; a second rail extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction and supporting the first rail so as to be movable along the second direction; a moving device that moves the waste on the floor surface in the second direction with the first rail by moving the first rail along the second rail; a waste moving member that is movably supported on the first rail along the first direction and moves the waste to a waste storage portion disposed at a predetermined position in the cleaning space; an air blowing device supported by the first rail and blowing air against the floor surface; characterized by comprising the above.
[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a spraying device supported by the first rail and spraying cleaning water against the floor surface. characterized by comprising the above.
[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the floor cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized by the spraying device being movable along the first direction. The air spraying device movable along the first direction, characterized by comprising the same.
[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is the floor cleaning device according to claim 2, the air spraying device that sprays air toward a drainage port that is disposed on a floor surface different from the waste storage unit and from which cleaning water is drained, with respect to the second direction, characterized by comprising the same.
Advantages of the Invention
[0011] According to the invention described in claim 1, cleaning operations can be repeated without replacing the cleaning member. According to the invention described in claim 2, not only dry cleaning but also wet cleaning using cleaning water can be performed. According to the invention described in claim 3, cleaning water and air can be sprayed along the first direction of the floor surface. According to the invention described in claim 4, the cleaning liquid can be drained as waste liquid at the drainage port.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0012]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0013] Next, with reference to the drawings, specific examples of embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. In the following description using the drawings, for ease of understanding, illustrations of members other than those necessary for the description are appropriately omitted as needed.
Example
[0014] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram of the floor cleaning device according to Example 1 of the present invention. In Figure 1, the floor cleaning device 1 according to Example 1 of the present invention is installed in a private toilet 2 as an example of a cleaning space. The private toilet 2 has a back wall 3, a right side wall 4, a left side wall 6, an opening / closing door 7, and a floor surface 8. The toilet 9 is supported by the back wall 3. The toilet 9 of Example 1 is in a so-called cantilevered state, wall-mounted and supported by the back wall 3. Therefore, a gap is formed between the lower end of the toilet 9 of Example 1 and the floor surface 8. A first rail housing portion 3a is formed at the lower part of the back wall 3. The first rail housing portion 3a is formed in a shape recessed with respect to the outer surface of the back wall 3.
[0015] A second rail housing portion 4a is formed at the lower part of the right side wall 4. The second rail housing portion 4a is formed in a shape recessed with respect to the outer surface of the right side wall 4. A dust box 11, which is an example of a waste storage portion, is formed at the lower part on the opening / closing door 7 side of the left side wall 6. A drain hole 12, which is an example of a drain port, is formed at the corner position on the back wall 3 side and the left side wall 6 side of the floor surface 8.
[0016] The floor cleaning device 1 has a second rail 21 that is housed in the second rail housing portion 4a. The second rail 21 extends along the horizontal direction (an example of the second direction, the Y-axis direction in Figure 1) along the right side wall 4. The second rail 21 of Example 1 extends from one end side (the back wall 3 side) to the other end side (the opening / closing door 7 side) of the right side wall 4 and is fixedly supported by the right side wall 4. A rack tooth 21a, which is an example of a flat gear, is formed at the upper end portion of the second rail 21.
[0017] On the second rail 21, a first rail 22 extending along the horizontal direction (an example of the first direction, the X-axis direction in FIG. 1) along the back wall 3 is supported. One end of the first rail 22 of the first embodiment on the right side wall 4 side is supported in a cantilever state, but it is not limited thereto. It is also possible to arrange a pair of second rails 21 on the left and right and support them in a doubly supported state on the pair of second rails. The first rail 22 is supported on the second rail 21 so as to be slidable along the Y-axis direction. The first rail 22 is in a state of being housed in the first rail housing portion 3a in a standby position where cleaning has not been performed.
[0018] The first rail 22 is arranged at a height corresponding to the gap between the toilet 9 and the floor surface 8. That is, the first rail 22 can move in the Y-axis direction through the space between the toilet 9 and the floor surface 8. Further, the first rail 22 is arranged with a gap from the floor surface 8 (in a so-called floating state). On the first rail 22, a garbage collecting plate 23 as an example of a first waste moving member is supported on the side of the opening and closing door 7. The garbage collecting plate 23 of the first embodiment also has its lower end arranged close to and with a gap from the floor surface 8. Therefore, the garbage collecting plate 23 can contact garbage larger (higher) than the gap with the floor surface 8 and collect the garbage toward the opening and closing door 7 side as the first rail 22 moves. Note that the garbage collecting plate 23 of the first embodiment is assumed to collect, for example, relatively large pieces of toilet paper and the cores of toilet paper.
[0019] On the upper part of the first rail 22, an X slider 24 as an example of a first moving body is supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction (the extending direction of the first rail 22). The X slider 24 is fixed to an endless timing belt 26. Therefore, the X slider 24 can move in the X-axis direction as the timing belt 26 rotates forward and backward. On the side of the opening / closing door 7 of the X slider 24, a dust pushing brush 27 as an example of a second waste moving member is supported. The dust pushing brush 27 is supported so as to be movable in the X-axis direction integrally with the X slider 24. The length of the brush of the dust pushing brush 27 is set so that the lower end contacts the floor surface 8. The waste moving members 23 and 27 of the first embodiment are constituted by the dust pushing plate 23 and the dust pushing brush 27.
[0020] Also, on the X slider 24, a water jet nozzle 28 as an example of a liquid spraying device is supported on the back wall 3 side. In the first embodiment, the water jet nozzle 28 is movable in the X-axis direction integrally with the X slider 24, but it is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of water jet nozzles 28 may be installed in a line on the first rail 22 at intervals in the X-axis direction so as not to move in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, adjacent to the water jet nozzle 28, a fan 29 as an example of an air spraying device is supported. The fan 29 of the first embodiment is also movable in the X-axis direction integrally with the X slider 24, similar to the water jet nozzle 28, but it is also possible to adopt a form in which a plurality of fans 29 are installed at intervals in the X-axis direction. Alternatively, there may be one fan 29, and an air duct extending from the fan 29 and a plurality of air nozzles branched from the air duct may be provided so that air can be sprayed from a plurality of locations in the X-axis direction.
[0021] The right end portion of the first rail 22 is supported by a moving device 31. The moving device 31 has a Y slider 32 as an example of a second moving body. Supported on the Y slider 32 are the right end portion of the first rail 22, a battery 33 as an example of a power source, a control circuit 34 as an example of a control unit, a Y motor unit 36, an X motor unit 37, and a water tank 38. The battery 33 supplies power to the control circuit 34, the Y motor unit 36, the X motor unit 37, etc. In the first embodiment, a configuration using the battery 33 is illustrated, but the power supply method is not limited to this, and it is also possible to directly connect a cable extending from an external power source to the control circuit 34 or the like. The control circuit 34 controls the operation / stop of the Y motor unit 36, the X motor unit 37, the water jet nozzle 28, and the fan 29.
[0022] The Y motor unit 36 includes a Y motor (not shown) and a plurality of gears driven by the Y motor and meshing with the rack teeth 21a, and moves the Y slider 32 along the second rail 21 by the forward and reverse rotation of the Y motor. The X motor unit 37 includes an X motor (not shown) and a gear driven by the X motor and stretching the timing belt 26, and moves the X slider 24 along the first rail 22 by the forward and reverse rotation of the X motor.
[0023] The water tank 38 is connected to the water jet nozzle 28 by a tube (not shown) and stores the cleaning liquid sprayed from the water jet nozzle 28. In the first embodiment, water is used as the cleaning liquid, but any cleaning liquid such as detergent or hot water can be used. Also, it is possible to directly connect the tube from the water jet nozzle 28 to the water supply without providing the water tank 38.
[0024] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the control unit of the first embodiment. (Description of the control circuit) The control circuit 34 of the first embodiment is composed of a microcomputer device having an I / O (input / output interface) for inputting and outputting signals to and from the outside and adjusting the input / output signal levels, a ROM (read-only memory) storing programs and data for performing necessary startup processes, a RAM (random access memory) for temporarily storing necessary data and programs, a CPU (central processing unit) for performing processes according to the startup program stored in the ROM, and a clock oscillator. The control circuit 34 can realize various functions by executing the programs stored in the ROM, RAM, etc.
[0025] The control circuit 34 of the first embodiment outputs control signals to controlled elements such as the X motor unit 37, the Y motor unit 36, the water jet nozzle 28, and the fan 29. The floor cleaning program of the control circuit 34 of the first embodiment has the following functions (means, functional modules) C1 to C6. The cleaning start determination means C1 determines whether it is time to start cleaning the floor 8 with the floor cleaning device 1. In the first embodiment, as an example, when the current time reaches the time predetermined by the administrator of the toilet 2, it is determined that it is time to start cleaning. Note that the determination of the cleaning start time is not limited to time. For example, when the entry into the toilet 2 is detected by a human sensor or the like and the exit from the toilet 2 is detected, it is determined that it is time to start cleaning. Or, each time the number of users of the toilet 2, that is, the number of times the exit after entry is detected, reaches a predetermined number (for example, 10 people (10 times)), it is determined that it is time to start cleaning. Also, the detection of the users of the toilet 2 is not limited to a human sensor. It is also possible to detect based on the opening and closing of the opening and closing door 7, or to install an optical sensor or a pressure sensor (weighing scale) at the entrance and exit of the toilet 2 to detect the entry and exit of people.
[0026] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the floor cleaning device of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of the state where the first rail has moved to the standby position, FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram of the state where the first rail has moved to the disposal position, and FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram of the state where the dust has been disposed of in the dust box by the dust gathering brush. The Y movement control means C2 controls the Y motor unit 36 to move the first rail 22 in the Y-axis direction. When it is time to start cleaning, the Y movement control means C2 of the first embodiment activates (rotates forward) the Y motor unit 36, and moves the first rail 22 from the standby position (see FIG. 3A) accommodated in the first rail accommodation portion 3a of the back wall 3 toward the opening / closing door 7 side, and moves (forward movement) the first rail 22 to the disposal position (see FIG. 3B) where the position of the dust collecting brush 27 in the Y-axis direction corresponds to the position of the dust box 11. As the first rail 22 moves toward the disposal position, the dust collecting plate 23 moves large dust on the floor surface 8 toward the opening / closing door 7 side.
[0027] Also, after moving to the disposal position, when the disposal of dust into the dust box 11 is completed by the dust collecting brush 27, the Y movement control means C2 reversely rotates the Y motor unit 36 and moves (return movement) the first rail 22 toward the standby position. In the first embodiment, the Y movement control means C2 performs the forward movement and the return movement once each to reciprocate the first rail 22 once, but it is not limited to this, and it is also possible to perform cleaning by reciprocating a plurality of times. Also, the moving speed of the first rail 22 during the forward movement and the return movement can be the same speed, or the moving speed of the return path can be set to be lower or higher than that of the forward movement.
[0028] The dust disposal control means C3 controls the X motor unit 37 to move the X slider 24, thereby moving the dust collecting brush 27. The dust disposal control means C3 of the first embodiment, with the first rail 22 in the moved disposal position, rotates the X motor unit 37 forward to move the dust collecting brush 27 from the right side wall 4 side (see FIG. 3B) to the left side wall 6 side (see FIG. 3C). As the dust collecting brush 27 moves to the left side wall 6 side, the dust collected by the dust collecting plate 23 is moved by the dust collecting brush 27 to the dust box 11 and disposed of. When the dust collecting brush 27 reaches the left side wall 6, the dust disposal control means C3 reversely rotates the X motor unit 37 to return the dust collecting brush 27 to its original position (right side wall 4 side). In addition, in the first embodiment, the garbage disposal control means C3 exemplified the mode of reciprocating the garbage collecting brush 27 once, but is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to reciprocate it a plurality of times. Further, the moving speed of the garbage collecting brush 27 during reciprocation can be the same speed, or the moving speed can be set differently between the forward movement and the return path.
[0029] The spraying position control means C4 controls the X motor unit 37 to move the X slider 24, thereby controlling the movement and position of the fan 29 and the water jet nozzle 28. That is, the spraying position control means C4 controls the position where the air is sprayed by the fan 29 and the position where the cleaning water is sprayed by the water jet nozzle 28. The spraying position control means C4 of the first embodiment repeatedly reciprocates the X slider 24 along the X-axis direction when the first rail 22 moves backward, that is, moves toward the back wall 3. Therefore, in accordance with the movement of the first rail 22 in the Y-axis direction, the X slider 24 moves so as to scan in the X-axis direction, and the fan 29 and the water jet nozzle 28 are moved so that air and cleaning liquid can be sprayed onto substantially the entire surface of the floor 8. Note that the spraying position control means C4 has been exemplified as a mode of moving so as to cover substantially the entire area of the floor 8, but is not limited thereto. For example, it is also possible to detect the position of small garbage or dirt by image analysis using a camera, and blow the small garbage toward the drain hole 12 with air, or spray the cleaning liquid and drying air onto the position of the dirt. In addition, even if dirt cannot be detected, it is also possible to spray a cleaning liquid or the like on a specific area around the toilet 9 where dirt is likely to accumulate.
[0030] The liquid spraying control means C5 controls the water jet nozzle 28 to spray the cleaning liquid onto the floor 8. The liquid spraying control means C5 of the first embodiment operates the water jet nozzle 28 to spray the cleaning liquid onto the floor 8 according to the period during which the spraying position control means C4 moves the X slider 24. The air blowing control means C6 controls the fan 29 to blow air onto the floor surface 8. The air blowing control means C6 of the first embodiment operates the fan 29 to blow air onto the floor surface 8 according to the period during which the blowing position control means C4 moves the X slider 24.
[0031] In the first embodiment, the liquid spraying control means C5 and the air spraying control means C6 are exemplified in a form in which the water jet nozzle 28 and the fan 29 are operated in accordance with the period during which the X slider 24 moves when the first rail 22 moves back, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in a form in which the first rail 22 reciprocates a plurality of times in the Y-axis direction, a configuration may be adopted in which the cleaning liquid is sprayed with the water jet nozzle 28 during the first reciprocating movement and air is blown with the fan 29 during the second reciprocating movement, or air for blowing off dust during the first reciprocating movement, the cleaning liquid during the forward movement of the second reciprocating movement, and air for blowing off the cleaning liquid and for drying during the reciprocating movement of the second reciprocating movement. Therefore, the cleaning liquid and the air can be sprayed simultaneously, or can be sprayed at separate timings. Also, the air volume of the air can be the same during dust blowing and drying, or can be different.
[0032] When the floor cleaning device 1 of the first embodiment having the above configuration starts the cleaning operation of the floor surface 8, the first rail 22 moves toward the opening / closing door 7 side, and large dust falling on the floor surface 8 is collected by the dust collecting plate 23. Then, when the first rail 22 reaches the opening / closing door 7 side, the dust collecting brush 27 moves toward the dust box 11 side, and the collected large dust is sent to the dust box 11 and discarded. Next, when the first rail 22 starts to move toward the standby position, the cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the floor surface 8 with the water jet nozzle 28 and air is blown with the fan 29. Therefore, urine or the like scattered on the floor surface 8 is cleaned with the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid sprayed onto the floor surface 8 is blown to the drain hole 12 with the air, and the floor surface 8 is dried with the air. Therefore, in the floor cleaning device 1 of the first embodiment, the collection of dust by the dust pushing plate 23 and the spraying of the cleaning liquid and air are performed without contact with the floor surface 8. Therefore, compared with the configuration using a cleaning member that contacts the floor surface as in the prior art, the cleaning operation can be repeated without replacing the cleaning member. Therefore, the trouble of replacing the mop and the like can be reduced.
[0033] In particular, in the first embodiment, larger dust is discarded into the dust box 11 before the spraying of the cleaning liquid. That is, sweeping is first performed on the dry floor surface 8, and then cleaning is performed on the wet floor surface 8. If the cleaning liquid is sprayed before discarding the large dust, the dust may get wet and stick to the floor surface, and there is a risk that the dust cannot be completely cleaned. However, in the first embodiment, this risk is small. In addition, small dust such as dust, dirt, and small pieces of toilet paper can be cleaned by flowing it together with the cleaning liquid through the drain hole 12.
[0034] (Modification example) As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Modification examples (H01) to (H03) of the present invention are exemplified below. (H01) In the above embodiment, the positions of the dust box 11 and the drain hole 12 are not limited to the illustrated positions, and can be changed to any position according to the configuration of the toilet 2. For example, the dust box 11 and the drain hole 12 can also be installed on the right side wall 4 side instead of the left side wall 6 side.
[0035] (H02) In the above embodiment, it is preferably applied to the toilet 2 equipped with the wall-mounted toilet 9, but it is not limited thereto. It is also applicable to toilets installed on the floor surface 8. In this case, for example, the opening / closing door 7 can be provided on the right side wall 4 or the left side wall 6 side instead of the opposite side of the back wall 3, and the layout can be changed so that the standby position of the first rail 22 is on the wall surface opposite to the back wall 3. In the above embodiment, it is also possible to use a floor cleaning device 1 that cleans small dust and dries droplets only with air without using a cleaning liquid. That is, it is not limited to wet cleaning, and dry cleaning without using a cleaning liquid is also possible.
Explanation of Signs
[0036] 1... Floor cleaning device, 2... Cleaning space, 8... Floor, 11... Waste container, 12... Drain port, 21... Second rail, 22... First rail, 27... Waste moving member, 28... Spraying device, 29... Air spraying device, 31... Moving device.
Claims
1. A first rail extending in a first direction and disposed with a gap with respect to the floor surface of the cleaning space; A second rail extending along a second direction intersecting the first direction and supporting the first rail movably along the second direction; A moving device that moves the waste on the floor surface in the second direction with the first rail by moving the first rail along the second rail; A waste moving member that is supported movably along the first direction on the first rail and moves the waste to a waste storage unit disposed at a predetermined position in the cleaning space; An air blowing device supported by the first rail and blowing air against the floor surface; A floor cleaning device, characterized in that it comprises the above.
2. A spraying device supported by the first rail and spraying cleaning water against the floor surface; The floor cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the above.
3. The spraying device movable along the first direction; The air blowing device movable along the first direction; The floor cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the above.
4. The air blowing device that blows air toward a drain port disposed on a floor surface different from the waste storage unit with respect to the second direction and from which the cleaning water is drained; The floor cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the above.