Folding ramp cleaning device

Abstract

The present invention provides a cleaning device for folding ramps that assist wheelchairs and other vehicles in navigating uneven surfaces. [Solution] A folding ramp is placed on a folding ramp mounting section, with one of its longitudinal directions higher than the other, and the running surface facing upwards in a valley-like, half-open position. The system consists of a cleaning means 9 for cleaning at least the running surface of the folding ramp, a cleaning means driving means for driving the cleaning means 9, and a cleaning means moving means 8 for moving the cleaning means 9.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a cleaning device for a folding slope that cleans a folding slope for assisting the travel of a wheelchair or the like on a step or the like.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an invention related to a folding slope for a wheelchair or the like. This folding slope has a running surface soiled by the wheels of a wheelchair or the like folded inward after use, and the running surface is hidden inside and not exposed outside, so it can be stored and carried without being cleaned.

[0003] However, recently, due to the expansion of the activity range by wheelchairs and the like, the dirt on the folding slope has become severe, and there is an increasing demand to keep the slope clean even if the dirt is inside when the slope is folded. However, the folding slope is long and manual cleaning requires a great deal of labor. Therefore, a cleaning device that can clean the folding slope is required. However, as far as the applicant's search goes, such prior art cannot be found.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In view of the above points, the present invention aims to provide a cleaning device for a folding slope.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a folding ramp cleaning device comprising: a ramp mounting section for mounting a folding ramp in which a plurality of plates are connected by hinges; and a cleaning means for cleaning at least the running surface of the folding ramp mounted on the ramp mounting section. A cleaning device for a folding ramp comprises a cleaning means driving means for driving the cleaning means and a cleaning means moving means for moving the cleaning means in the direction of the folding line of the folding ramp, wherein the ramp mounting section is provided with one side higher and the other lower in the direction of the folding line, and the folding ramp is mounted on the ramp mounting section in a half-open, valley-shaped configuration with the running surface facing upwards and the folding line at the bottom.

[0007] According to the present invention, a long, foldable ramp can be cleaned. Furthermore, instead of placing ramp plates 11 and 12 horizontally, they are placed in a half-open, valley-like position with the folding line at the bottom. As a result, cleaning fluid and debris gather in the valley and fall between the two plates, or further gather at the lowest point which is inclined in the direction of the folding line Y.

[0008] Furthermore, the cleaning means moving means comprises a forward and backward moving body that moves in the direction of the folding line, a vertical moving body that moves up and down on the forward and backward moving body, and a moving source that moves the forward and backward moving body in the direction of the folding line, and it is desirable to provide the brush as the cleaning means on the vertical moving body. With this configuration, the cleaning brush moves in the direction of the folding line by the forward and backward moving body, and moves up and down according to the condition of the upper surface of the folding ramp by the vertical moving body, so that it can accommodate even if the upper surface of the folding ramp sags due to years of use.

[0009] Furthermore, it is desirable that the vertically moving body be provided with a support mechanism equipped with wheels at its lower end to support the vertically moving body. This allows the front-to-back moving body to move smoothly in the direction of the folding line.

[0010] A ramp mounting section for placing a foldable ramp made of multiple boards connected by hinges, A cleaning device for a folding ramp comprises a cleaning means for cleaning at least the running surface of the folding ramp placed on the ramp mounting section, a cleaning means driving the cleaning means, and a cleaning means moving the cleaning means in the folding direction of the folding ramp, characterized in that a rear fixed positioning unit for stopping one end of the folding ramp in the folding direction is fixed to the side of the folding direction, and a forward moving positioning unit for stopping the other end of the folding ramp in the folding direction is provided on the side of the other end of the folding ramp so as to be movable in the folding direction. According to the present invention, long folding ramps can be cleaned. Furthermore, positioning can be performed to accommodate folding ramps of various lengths.

[0011] Furthermore, it is desirable that the ramp mounting section be positioned such that one side is higher and the other is lower in the direction of the folding line, with the forward moving positioning section positioned on the higher side in the direction of the folding line and the rear fixed positioning section positioned on the lower side in the direction of the folding line. According to this, when abutting the foldable ramp against the rear fixing positioning part, the work is easier because the rear fixing positioning part is on the lower side.

[0012] Furthermore, it is desirable that the ramp mounting section is separated into a front ramp mounting section and a rear ramp mounting section, with the front ramp mounting section being integrated with the front movable positioning section, and the rear ramp mounting section being integrated with the rear fixed positioning section. This simplifies the structure.

[0013] Furthermore, it is desirable that the waiting area for the cleaning means be continuously provided on the rear side opposite to the forward-moving positioning unit in the folding line direction of the rear fixed positioning unit. This allows the cleaning means to move smoothly between the ramp and the waiting area. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1]Schematic explanatory diagram of a folding slope, (A) is a plan view in an open state, (B) is a side view in an open state seen from one end side in the folding line direction Y, (C) is also a side view in a semi-open state, (D) is also a side view in a folded state [Figure 2] Perspective view seen from the front showing the general configuration of an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 3] Partial enlarged perspective view of FIG. 2 [Figure 4] Side view showing the general configuration of this embodiment [Figure 5] Perspective view seen from the rear showing the standby state of the cleaning means of this embodiment [Figure 6] Perspective view seen from the front showing the standby state of the cleaning means of this embodiment [Figure 7] Perspective view seen from the rear of this embodiment, placing the folding slope and showing the standby state of the cleaning means [Figure 8] Perspective view seen from the rear of this embodiment, placing the folding slope and showing the cleaning position of the cleaning means [Figure 9] Explanatory diagram of the cleaning means and the cleaning means moving means of this embodiment [Figure 10] Back explanatory diagram showing the cleaning means, the supporting means and the nozzle of this embodiment [Figure 11] Front view showing the cleaning means and the supporting means according to this embodiment [Figure 12] Perspective view showing the cleaning means and the cleaning means driving means according to this embodiment [Figure 13] Block diagram of the cleaning device for the folding slope according to this embodiment [Figure 14] Schematic main part schematic perspective explanatory diagram of placing a folding slope on the folding slope placing part of the second embodiment [Figure 15] Schematic main part schematic explanatory diagram of placing a folding slope on the folding slope placing part of the second embodiment and further providing the cleaning means of the second embodiment

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Referring to Figures 1 to 13, the cleaning device for the foldable ramp according to this embodiment will be described. In Figure 1, 1 is a typical foldable ramp that is cleaned by this device. This foldable ramp 1 is designed to be easily carried and stored by connecting ramp plates 11 and 12 with a hinge 13, and folding using this hinge 13 with the running surface facing inward. The hinge 13 is a flexible, tape-shaped elastic sheet material, and when folded in half at this hinge 13 (Figure 1D), the upper surfaces of the running surface, the slope plate 11 and the slope plate 12, face inward.

[0016] In this specification, the part that folds at this hinge 13 is referred to as the fold line, and the direction in the same direction as this fold line is referred to as the fold line direction Y. Furthermore, the dashed line X indicates a line perpendicular to the folding line direction Y on the slope plate (running surface), and is called an intersecting line. Also, the dashed line Z indicates the vertical direction on the slope plate (running surface), and is called an up-down line. Furthermore, the surface on which the wheelchair travels on the ramp is sometimes called the top surface, and the underside of the surface is sometimes called the bottom surface. Also, in the folding direction Y, the direction in which the cleaning means described later moves from the standby position is called the front side, and the direction in which it returns to the standby position is called the rear side. The left and right directions are called the right side and the left side when facing forward. In addition, the state between the fully open state when using the folding ramp (Figure 1B) and the folded state for portable storage, etc. (Figure 1D) (Figure 1C) is called the half-open state.

[0017] 11A is one end of the slope plate 11 in the folding direction Y, 11B is the other end of the slope plate 11 in the folding direction Y, 12A is one end of the slope plate 12 in the folding direction Y, and 12B is the other end of the slope plate 12 in the folding direction Y. The foldable ramp 1 changes from the fully open state shown in Figure 1(B) to the folded state shown in Figure 1(C), and then to the folded state shown in Figure 1(D). In the apparatus of the present invention, the foldable ramp 1 is cleaned in the half-open state shown in Figure 1(C), with the running surface facing upwards and the folding line at the bottom, forming a valley shape. 111 is the outer end face of the slope plate 11 in the direction of the intersecting line X, 112 is the inner end face of the slope plate 11 in the direction of the intersecting line X, 121 is the outer end face of the slope plate 12 in the direction of the intersecting line X, and 122 is the inner end face of the slope plate 12 in the direction of the intersecting line X. Also, G is the gap that occurs between the inner end faces 112 and 122 in the half-open state shown in Figure 1(C). 14 is a guide plate provided along the folding line direction Y at the outer ends of ramp plates 11 and 12, which helps prevent wheelchairs from coming off. 91A1 and 91A2 are rotating brushes used as cleaning means, as described later; 92 is a nozzle used as a cleaning means to discharge cleaning fluid; 93 is a tube that supplies cleaning fluid to nozzle 92; and 94 is a solenoid valve installed on tube 93. Their relative positions to slope plates 11 and 12 are shown by dashed lines. The rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2 and nozzle 92 are attached to the cleaning means moving means 8, which will be described later.

[0018] In Figures 2 to 8, 2 is the main frame, which consists of a front frame 21, a rear frame 22, connecting rods 23 that connect them, and reinforcing rods 24. The connecting rods 23 consist of a lower connecting rod 231, a middle connecting rod 232, and an upper connecting rod 233. The lower connecting rods 231, 231 connect the lower ends on both sides of the front frame 21 to the lower ends on both sides of the rear frame 22, respectively. The upper connecting rods 233, 233 connect the upper ends on both sides of the front frame 21 to the middle-high sections on both sides of the rear frame 22, respectively. The height h of the central and elevated sections on both sides of the rear frame 22 is lower than the height H of the upper ends on both sides of the front frame 21. Therefore, the upper connecting rods 233, 233 have a lower slope on the rear frame 22 side, i.e., the rear frame 22 side slopes downward in the folding line direction Y. The upper connecting rods 233, 233 protrude further forward than the front frame 21, and the two rods are connected by a connecting rod 233A. This protrusion ensures the forward movement distance of the movable platform 6, which will be described later, and allows the forward movement positioning section 61, which will be described later, to move to the front frame 21.

[0019] The front frame 21 has a medium-height horizontal bar 211 that is slightly lower than the height H mentioned above. Similarly, the rear frame 22 has a medium-height horizontal bar 221 that is slightly lower than the height h mentioned above. The middle connecting bars 232, 232 connect the medium-height horizontal bar 211 of the front frame 21 and the medium-height horizontal bar 221 of the rear frame 22 from the inside of both ends of the medium-height horizontal bar 211 and the medium-height horizontal bar 221. 24 is a reinforcing bar that connects the lower connecting bar 231 and the upper connecting bar 233. 3 is a support rod made of C-channel steel, and is for holding the chain 823 of the linear motion mechanism that constitutes the moving source 82 of the cleaning means moving means 8, which moves the cleaning means 9 in the folding linear direction Y. This support rod 3 is provided between the intermediate position in the intersecting direction X of the lower high horizontal bar 212 provided on the front frame 21 and the intermediate position in the intersecting direction X at the lower end of the rear frame 22. The moving body 8, cleaning means 9, etc. will be described later.

[0020] 4 is a support frame consisting of a support rod 41 and its support rod 42 that extend from the upper part of the rear frame 22 toward the front frame 21, and a rear fixing positioning section 51 that determines the rear position of the folding ramp 1 is fixed to it. This rear fixing positioning section 51 is an integrated unit consisting of a cleaning means mounting section 52 and a folding ramp rear mounting section 53, forming a fixing base 5. Note that in this specification, integrated unit means This refers to items made by joining multiple sheet metal pieces together by welding or other means, or by processing a single sheet metal piece. The cleaning means mounting section 52 is a waiting area for the cleaning means 9, where it is placed when the cleaning means 9 is not cleaning the foldable ramp 1. The rear foldable ramp mounting section 53 is one step lower than the cleaning means mounting section 52 on the front side in the folding line direction Y, and one end of the foldable ramp 1 is placed on it. The stepped wall between this rear foldable ramp mounting section 53 and the cleaning means mounting section 52 becomes the rear fixed positioning section 51. The cleaning means mounting section 52 is located on the rear side of the rear fixed positioning section 51, opposite to the front movable positioning section 61 described later in the folding line direction Y, that is, outside the location where the foldable ramp 1 is located. One end of the foldable ramp 1 comes into contact with this rear fixed positioning part 51, and the rear side of the foldable ramp 1 in the folding line direction Y is positioned.

[0021] The rear mounting section 53 for the foldable ramp has a valley-like shape with both sides higher and the center lower in the direction of the intersecting lines that cross the folding lines, so that the foldable ramp 1 is mounted in a valley shape with the folding lines as the bottom. In other words, the upper surface of the rear mounting section 53 for the foldable ramp has a wide V-shape, and when one end of the ramp plates 11 and 12 is placed on the rear mounting section 53 for the foldable ramp, the ramp plates 11 and 12 are mounted in a half-open state with an opening angle of approximately 120 degrees between the upper surfaces of the ramp plates 11 and 12. The cleaning means mounting section 52 is similar, and is an integrated structure connected to the rear mounting section 53 of the foldable ramp via a stepped wall that serves as the rear fixed positioning section 51. The height (step) of the stepped wall that serves as the rear fixed positioning section 51 is slightly lower than the thickness of the slope plates 11 and 12 of the foldable slope 1. Specifically, the thickness of the slope plates 11 and 12 varies from approximately 25 mm to approximately 35 mm, and the step that serves as the rear fixed positioning section 51 is approximately 20 mm thick. In this way, if the ramp plates 11 and 12 are not positioned horizontally, but are opened at an angle, for example, to about 120 degrees as shown in the illustration, the cleaning liquid and debris will gather in the valley and fall between the two plates, or they will tilt in the folding line direction Y and gather towards the standby position of the cleaning means at the lowest point.

[0022] 61 is a forward-moving positioning unit that determines the forward position of the foldable ramp 1. This forward-moving positioning unit 61 is guided by the upper connecting rods 233, 233 of the main frame 2 and is manually moved in the folding line direction Y. As illustrated in Figure 3, this forward-moving positioning unit 61 is a movable platform 6 with an integrated configuration consisting of a foldable ramp front mounting unit 63 and a temporary mounting unit 62, and is attached to a movable frame 65 equipped with a slider 66 that slides along the upper connecting rods 233. The foldable ramp 1 comes in a variety of lengths, such as more than ten different lengths, ranging from approximately 65 cm to approximately 290 cm in the folding direction Y, and the forward-moving positioning unit 61 moves in accordance with the length of the foldable ramp 1.

[0023] The folding ramp front mounting section 63 supports the other end of the folding ramp 1. The upper surface of this folding ramp front mounting section 63, like the folding ramp rear mounting section 53, has a valley shape with both sides higher and the center lower in the direction of the intersecting line X, so that the folding ramp 1 is mounted in a valley shape with the folding line as the bottom. The upper surface has a wide V-shape, and when the ramps 11 and 12 are placed on the folding ramp front mounting section 63, the ramp plate 11 and the ramp plate 12 are mounted in a half-open state with an opening angle of approximately 120 degrees between their upper surfaces. The temporary storage section 62 is similar, being formed one step higher on the front side of the folding line direction Y of the folding ramp front mounting section 63, and the stepped wall between this folding ramp front mounting section 63 and the temporary storage section 62 becomes the forward movement positioning section 61. Reference numeral 64 denotes a roller provided on 62 in the temporary storage section, which facilitates smooth movement between the mobile platform 6 and the other end of the foldable ramp 1 when moving the mobile platform 6 after temporarily placing the other end of the foldable ramp 1 in the temporary storage section 62. In this embodiment, the folding ramp mounting section 300 is configured as a separate type, with the folding ramp front mounting section 63 and the folding ramp rear mounting section 53 being separate.

[0024] 7 is a stopping mechanism such as a toggle clamp, attached to the mobile platform 6 which has the forward movement positioning unit 61. When the operating unit 71 is operated, the arm 72 presses against the upper connecting rod 233 of the frame body 2, preventing the mobile platform 6 from moving in the folding line direction Y. Therefore, the forward movement positioning unit 61 is fixed and the folding ramp 1 does not move in the folding line direction Y, allowing the cleaning work to be performed effectively.

[0025] The installation of the foldable ramp 1 onto the ramp mounting section 300 will be described below. First, the mobile platform 6 is set in a position slightly shorter than the length of the folding ramp 1 to be cleaned. Next, with the running surface of the folding ramp 1 facing upwards, one end 11A, 12A is placed on the rear mounting section 53 of the folding ramp and abutted against the stepped wall which is the rear fixed positioning section 51. Then, the other ends 11B and 12B of the folding ramp 1 are placed on the temporary placement section 62 of the mobile platform 6, and the mobile platform 6 is moved slightly forward in the folding line direction Y by hand, causing the other ends 11B and 12B of the folding ramp 1 to rest on the front placement section 63 of the folding ramp. At this time, the rollers 64 provided on the temporary placement section 62 make it easy to move the mobile platform 6. Then, after the other ends 11B and 12B of the folding ramp 1 are placed on the folding ramp front mounting section 63, the front positioning section 61 is brought into contact with the other ends 11B and 12B of the folding ramp 1, sandwiching the folding ramp 1 between the rear positioning section 51 and the front positioning section 61, and the stopping means 7 fixes the moving platform 6, i.e., the front positioning section 61, to the main frame 2. As a result, the folding ramp 1 is positioned on the main frame 2 with the running surface facing upwards, and the folding line It is positioned in a valley shape with the bottom and is tilted in the folding direction Y such that one end 11A, 12A is lower.

[0026] In Figure 9, 8 is a washing and moving means, consisting of a forward-reverse moving body 81 that moves in the direction of the folding line, a vertical moving body 83 that moves up and down on the forward-reverse moving body 81, and a moving source 82 that further moves the forward-reverse moving body in the direction of the folding line. To explain this in more detail, the forward and backward moving body 81 has a roughly inverted trapezoidal shape, and the sliders 812, 812 of the arms 811, 811 extending outward from it are guided to the upper frame rods 233, 233, and the sliders 814, 814 of the arms 813, 813 are guided to the central connecting rods 232, 232, so that the forward and backward moving body 81 is mounted to be movable in the folding line direction Y. Furthermore, a vertically moving body 83 is attached to the forward-reverse moving body 81, and its slider 831 is attached so as to slide along the vertical frame of the forward-reverse moving body 81, allowing it to move up and down within the forward-reverse moving body 81. The moving source 82 is a linear motion mechanism consisting of a motor 821 attached to the forward / rear moving body 81, a gear 822 rotated by the motor 821, and a chain 823 with which the gear 822 meshes. The chain 823 is supported by the C-channel steel material 3 shown in Figures 2 to 4 and is installed extending in the folding direction Y. When the motor 821 rotates, the gear 822 rotates, and the chain 823 that meshes with it causes the forward and backward moving body 81 to move in the folding line direction Y. Furthermore, the motor 821 is controlled by the control circuit 400 and drive circuit 401 via the operation instruction unit 410, forward position detector 411, rear position detector 412, timer, etc., to rotate and stop, and to rotate forward and reverse.

[0027] 9 is a cleaning means, which consists of a brush 91 and / or a nozzle 92. The brush 91, which is part of the cleaning means 9, consists of a rotating brush 91A and a brush 91B. The nozzle 92 sprays a liquid (such as water or detergent solution). The rotating brushes 91A consist of rotating brushes 91A1, 91A1 for cleaning the running surface of the slope plate 11 of the foldable slope 1, and rotating brushes 91A2, 91A2 for cleaning the running surface of the slope plate 12. Two rotating brushes 91A1, 91A1 are arranged so that they partially overlap in the direction of the intersecting lines X of the slope plate 11 in order to thoroughly clean the necessary area in the direction of the intersecting lines X (for example, the entire area in the direction of the intersecting lines X or the anti-slip tape portion of the running surface) (shown by dashed lines in Figure 1). The same applies to the rotating brushes 91A2, 91A2.

[0028] These rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2 are rotated by the cleaning means driving means 10. Referring to Figure 12, the cleaning means driving means 10 consists of a motor 101, a motor pulley 102, brush pulleys 103 for each of the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2, and wires 104 connecting the motor pulley 102 and each of the brush pulleys 103. When the motor 101 rotates due to the operation of the control unit 410, the motor pulley 102 rotates, and via the wires 104, each brush pulley 103 rotates, causing the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2 to rotate and perform cleaning. Furthermore, similar to motor 821, motor 101 is controlled by the control circuit 400 and drive circuit 401 via the operation instruction unit 410, forward position detector 411, rear position detector 412, timer, etc., to perform rotation and stopping, as well as forward and reverse rotation. These rotating brushes 91A1, 91A2, motor 101, pulleys 102, 103, etc., are fixed to the mounting plate 832 of the vertically moving body 83.

[0029] Although the ramp plates 11 and 12 are designed to be resistant to deformation due to their thickness, they may still bend and deform over time due to the weight of wheelchairs and other objects they bear. This deformation may make it difficult for the rotating brush 91A to make contact with the ramp plates 11 and 12. As shown in Figure 11, the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2 are pivotally supported on the mounting plate 832 by shafts 833, 833, and swing around shaft 833. Additionally, an extrusion spring 835 is wound around the rotating shaft 834 of the rotating brush 91A, biasing it in the extrusion direction so that it presses against the slope plates 11 and 12. 30 is a support means for the cleaning means 9, and four of them are attached to the two mounting plates 832 of the vertically moving body 83. As shown in Figure 11, the support means 30 are casters, and their wheels 31 roll on the upper surfaces of the ramp plates 11 and 12 and the upper surface of the cleaning means mounting section 52. As mentioned above, the cleaning brush 91A is biased in the extrusion direction by the extrusion spring 835 to press against the slope plates 11 and 12. In the free state, the tip of the cleaning brush 91A protrudes slightly, for example, 10 mm, beyond the lower end position of the wheel 31. However, when cleaning is in progress and it is facing the slope plates 11 and 12, it becomes the same as the lower end position of the wheel 31, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 11. The support means 30 supports the weight of the cleaning brush 91A, the cleaning means drive means 10, etc., which are attached to the vertically moving body 83. Referring to Figure 8, 521 is a protrusion (approximately 15 mm higher than the length to which the tip of the cleaning brush 91A protrudes) on which the wheel 31 rides when the cleaning means 9 is in a standby state on the cleaning means mounting section 52. While the cleaning means 9 is in standby mode, the height of the protrusion 521 causes the tip of the cleaning brush 91A to protrude above the lower end of the wheel, but it remains free and does not come into contact with the standby surface, thus preventing deterioration of the cleaning brush while it is in standby mode.

[0030] 91B is a brush used as a cleaning tool to clean areas of the ramp plates 11 and 12 that are not the wheel running surfaces and have relatively little dirt. To explain in more detail, the folding ramp 1 is provided with brushes 91B1-91B1 for cleaning dirt from the lower surfaces of the ramp plates 11-12, brush 91B2 for cleaning dirt from the gap G, brushes 91B3-91B3 for cleaning dirt from the outer end faces 111-121 of the ramp plates 11-12 and the outer surfaces of the guide plates 14-14, brushes 91B4-91B4 for cleaning dirt from the inside of the guide plate 14, and brush 91B5 for cleaning the folding lines. Furthermore, the brush 91B4 and 91B5 are attached to the vertically moving body 83 together with the rotating brush 91A, while the other brushes are attached to the horizontally moving body 81. In this embodiment, a brush is provided as a cleaning means for cleaning the lower and side surfaces of the ramp plates 11 and 12 that are not the running surfaces. However, the cleaning means only needs to be one that cleans the running surfaces.

[0031] The cleaning means moving means 8, which is waiting on the cleaning means mounting section 52 of the fixed base 5, moves forward in the folding line direction Y when the motor 821 of the moving source 82 rotates forward due to the operation of the operation instruction unit 410, causing the gear 822 that meshes with the chain 823 to rotate forward and move onto the ramp plates 11 and 12. The cleaning means moving means 8 continues to move forward even after getting onto the ramp plates 11 and 12, and when it reaches a predetermined forward position which is the other end of the ramp plates 11 and 12, the forward position detection means 411 detects the end of the forward movement and the cleaning means moving means 8 stops. That is, when the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2, which are the cleaning means 9, move to the predetermined position which is the other end of the ramp plates 11 and 12, the forward position detection means 411, which determines this, stops the movement of the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2. Furthermore, the forward position detection means 411 is a proximity sensor and consists of a forward position detector 411a attached to the cleaning means moving means 8, which is the object to be detected, and a forward position detection piece 411b that moves together with the forward positioning unit 61, for example, attached to the moving platform 6. When the forward position detector 411a approaches the forward position detection piece 411b, it detects that it has reached a predetermined forward position. Subsequently, the first timer 413 issues a counter-rotation instruction to the motor 821 after, for example, 1 second, causing the motor 821 to rotate in the opposite direction and the cleaning means moving means 8 to move backward. When it reaches the predetermined rear position, which is the standby position of the cleaning means mounting section 52, the rear position detection means 412 stops the motor 821, and the cleaning means moving means 8 stops on the cleaning means mounting section 52 and waits in preparation for the next cleaning. That is, when the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2, which are the cleaning means 9, move to the standby position, which is the predetermined rear position, the position detection means 412 detects this and stops the movement of the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2. Furthermore, the rear position detection means 412 has the same configuration as the front position detection means 411, with the rear position detector 412a attached to the moving body 8 which is the object to be detected, and the rear position detection piece 412b attached to the main body frame 2.

[0032] In the above description, the forward position detection means 411 has a forward position detector 411a attached to the moving body 8 which is the object to be detected, and a forward position detection piece 411b attached to a part that moves together with the forward positioning unit 61. However, the reverse is also possible. That is, the position detector 411a can be provided on either the object to be detected or the part that moves together with the forward positioning unit 61, and the position detection piece 411b can be provided on the other. The same applies to the rear position detection means 412, where the position detector 412a can be provided on either the object to be detected or a fixed part, such as the main frame, and the position detection piece 412b can be provided on the other.

[0033] Furthermore, the washing and moving means 8, during the forward journey from when it is started by the operation of the operation instruction unit 410 until it is stopped by the forward position detection means 411, and during the return journey from when the first timer 413 issues a counter-rotation instruction until it is stopped by the rear position detection means 412, the second timer 414, which is started at the start, issues a repeating instruction from the control circuit 400 to move for 1 second and stop for 5 seconds, for example, and controls the motor 821 via the drive circuit 401. Furthermore, the instructions from the forward position detection means 411 and the rear position detection means 412 take precedence over the instructions from the first timer 413 and the second timer 414. Furthermore, the distance traveled by the cleaning means moving means 8 in one second is less than or equal to the diameter of the rotating brush 91A, and the five-second stop is the time during which the rotating brush 91A is rotating and cleaning at the same location.

[0034] The cleaning means 9, which is attached to the cleaning means transport means 8, performs cleaning as described above while moving along the forward and return paths. The control circuit 400 sends forward and reverse rotation commands to the motor 101 of the cleaning means drive means 10 every T hours, for example every 5 seconds, via the timer 415, and the rotating brushes 91A1 and 91A2 of the cleaning means 9 repeatedly rotate forward and reverse to perform cleaning. Furthermore, the rotation (forward and reverse) and stopping of motor 101 begin with the start of rotation of motor 821 of the cleaning and moving means 8, and occur simultaneously with the stopping of motor 821.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the ramp mounting section 300 on which the foldable ramp 1 is placed was described as having a structure separated into a rear mounting section 53 and a front mounting section 63 for the foldable ramp. However, it is also possible to have an integrated ramp mounting section 310, as shown in Figure 14, which illustrates another embodiment. In this embodiment, the ramp mounting section 310 is composed of four mounting rods 311, 312, 313, and 314, and is attached to the front frame 21 and the rear frame 22. The outermost mounting rods 311 and 314 are higher in the direction of the intersecting line X than the two inner mounting rods 312 and 313, while the two inner mounting rods 312 and 313 are lower in the direction of the intersecting line X, forming a valley. The rear fixed positioning section 510 is formed from the front wall of the cleaning means mounting section 520, and the two are fixed to the ramp mounting section 310 as an integrated fixed base 500. 610 is a forward-moving positioning unit, and is provided on a movable platform 600 that moves in the folding line direction Y, guided by four mounting rods 311, 312, 313, and 314. In this embodiment as well, a stopping means 7 (not shown) is provided.

[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figure 15, the ramp mounting section is the ramp mounting base 310, and the brushes for cleaning the upper surface of the cleaning means 9 are roll brushes 91C, 91C. In addition, roll brushes 91D, 91D are provided as cleaning means 9 for cleaning the lower surfaces of the ramp plates 11, 12. The roll brushes 91C and 91D in this embodiment are controlled in the same way as the rotary brushes 91A and 91A.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the folding ramp 1 was described as an example of a ramp folded in half using two ramp plates, but it may also be a tri-fold folding ramp consisting of three ramp plates with two fold lines, in which case the bottom of the ramp will be valley-shaped with the fold lines on both sides of the central ramp plate forming the bottom. In this case, the ramp mounting bases 300 and 310 have a structure in which the central ramp plate of the three ramp plates becomes the bottom of the valley, and the ramp plates on both sides widen upwards.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rotating brush 91, which serves as the cleaning means 9, was switched between forward and reverse rotation several times during the cleaning process of the forward and return journeys. However, the rotation direction of the rotating brush 91 may be changed so that it rotates forward on the forward journey and counter-clockwise on the return journey. Alternatively, the rotation direction may be the same for both the forward and return journeys. Furthermore, although the explanation described an example where cleaning is performed on both the outward and return journeys, it is also possible to perform cleaning only on the outward journey, or to perform cleaning through multiple round trips. Additionally, nozzles for rinsing water and nozzles for drying air can be provided.

[0039] Furthermore, while the rotation and stopping of the motor 821 of the moving source 82 of the cleaning means moving means 8 was controlled by a timer, it is possible to control the rotation and stopping by capturing the rotational speed of the gear 822. Also, while the forward and reverse rotation of the motor 101 of the cleaning means driving means 10 was controlled by a timer, it is possible to control the forward and reverse rotation by capturing the rotational speed of the motor. Furthermore, although the above embodiment described an example of a moving source 82 as a linear motion mechanism comprising a motor 821, gear 822, and chain 823, it can also be a linear motion mechanism comprising a screw shaft and a nut fitted to the screw shaft so as to be rotatable relative to the screw shaft. Furthermore, although a proximity sensor was described as the position detection means in the above embodiment, a microswitch can also be used.

[0040] In the first embodiment described above, when placing the foldable ramp 1 on the mounting section, an example was explained in which one end of the ramp plates 11 and 12 is placed on the rear mounting section 53, and the other end is temporarily placed on the temporary mounting section 62 of the movable mounting base 6, and then the movable base 6 is shifted and placed on the movable mounting section 63. However, it can also be placed as shown below. Specifically, the main frame 2, for example, the upper connecting rod 233, is marked with a scale of "M, cm" corresponding to various lengths of the folding ramp 1, for example, a scale of "M, cm" starting from the rear positioning part 51 of the fixed base 5. On the other hand, the movable base 6 is provided with a pointer that indicates its length. If the length of the folding ramp 1 is 2 meters, the pointer is temporarily placed at a position slightly longer than the 2M mark on the scale. Then, one end of the folding ramp 1 is placed on the fixed mounting part 53 and the other end on the movable mounting part 63. After that, the movable mounting base 6 is moved backward until its front positioning part 61 contacts the other end of the folding ramp 1, and then fixed with the stopping means 7. Note that instead of the "M, cm" markings, symbols such as L, M, and S corresponding to the length of the folding ramp 1 can also be used. In this embodiment, an example of a foldable ramp equipped with a guide plate 14 was described, but a foldable ramp without a guide plate 14 may also be used. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0041] 1. Foldable ramp, 2. Main frame, 21. Front frame, 22. Rear frame, 51. Rear fixed positioning section, 53... Rear mounting section, 61... Front movable positioning section, 63... Front mounting section, 7... Holding means, 8... Cleaning means moving means, 9... Cleaning means, 10... Cleaning means driving means, 300... Slope mounting section, 310... Slope mounting section

Claims

1. A ramp mounting section for placing a foldable ramp made of multiple boards connected by hinges, A cleaning means for cleaning at least the running surface of the foldable ramp placed on the ramp mounting section, A cleaning means driving means for driving the cleaning means, A cleaning device for a folding ramp, comprising a cleaning means moving means for moving the cleaning means in the direction of the folding line of the folding ramp, The aforementioned ramp mounting section is provided with one side higher and the other lower in the direction of the folding line. A cleaning device for a folding ramp, characterized in that the folding ramp is placed on the ramp mounting section in a half-open, valley-shaped configuration with the running surface facing upwards and the folding line at the bottom.

2. In the folding ramp cleaning device described in claim 1, The cleaning means moving means comprises a forward and backward moving body that moves in the direction of the folding line, a vertical moving body that moves up and down on the forward and backward moving body, and a moving source that moves the forward and backward moving body in the direction of the folding line. A cleaning device for a foldable ramp, characterized in that the brush used as a cleaning means is provided on the vertically moving body.

3. In the folding ramp cleaning device according to claim 2, A cleaning device for a foldable ramp, characterized in that the vertically moving body is provided with a support means having wheels at its lower end to support the vertically moving body.

4. A ramp mounting section for placing a foldable ramp made of multiple boards connected by hinges, A cleaning means for cleaning at least the running surface of the foldable ramp placed on the ramp mounting section, A cleaning means driving means for driving the cleaning means, A cleaning device for a folding ramp, comprising a cleaning means moving means for moving the cleaning means in the direction of the folding line of the folding ramp, A rear fixing positioning unit that stops one end of the folding ramp in the direction of the folding line, which is placed on the ramp mounting unit, is fixed to the end in the direction of the folding line, A cleaning device for a folding ramp, characterized in that a forward-moving positioning unit for stopping the other end of the folding ramp in the direction of the folding line is provided on the other end side in the direction of the folding line so as to be movable in the direction of the folding line.

5. In the folding ramp cleaning device described in claim 4, A cleaning device for a folding ramp, characterized in that the ramp mounting section is provided with one side higher and the other lower in the direction of the folding line, the forward moving positioning section is provided on the higher side in the direction of the folding line, and the rear fixed positioning section is provided on the lower side in the direction of the folding line.

6. In the folding ramp cleaning device described in claim 4, The ramp mounting section is separated into a ramp front mounting section and a ramp rear mounting section, and the ramp front mounting section is integrated with the forward moving positioning section. A cleaning device for a foldable ramp, characterized in that the rear mounting section of the ramp is integrated with the rear fixed positioning section.

7. In the folding ramp cleaning device described in claim 4, The cleaning means moving means comprises a forward and backward moving body that moves in the direction of the folding line, a vertical moving body that moves up and down on the forward and backward moving body, and a moving source that moves the forward and backward moving body in the direction of the folding line. A cleaning device for a foldable ramp, characterized in that the brush used as a cleaning means is provided on the vertically moving body.

8. In the folding ramp cleaning device described in claim 5, The ramp mounting section is separated into a ramp front mounting section and a ramp rear mounting section, and the ramp front mounting section is integrated with the forward moving positioning section. A cleaning device for a foldable ramp, characterized in that the rear mounting section of the ramp is integrated with the rear fixed positioning section.

9. In the folding ramp cleaning device described in claim 7, A cleaning device for a foldable ramp, characterized in that the vertically moving body is provided with a support means having wheels at its lower end to support the vertically moving body.

10. A cleaning device for a foldable ramp according to any one of claims 4 to 9, A cleaning device for a folding ramp, characterized in that a waiting area for the cleaning means is continuously provided on the rear side opposite to the forward moving positioning section in the folding line direction of the rear fixed positioning section.

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