Washing device

Abstract

The cleaning device structure is designed to ensure sufficient pressure from the rotating brush against the surface to be cleaned. [Solution] The cleaning device 1 comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle 2, a brush mechanism 3 having a support frame 5, a rotating brush 6 supported by the support frame 5, and a rotating blade 7 supported by the support frame 5 that generates thrust to press the rotating brush 6 against the surface to be cleaned S, and a connecting mechanism 4 that connects the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the support frame 5.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning device for cleaning roofs, outer walls, solar panels, etc.

Background Art

[0002] Dirt such as dust, pollen, and bird droppings adheres to the roofs and outer walls of buildings such as buildings and solar panels. Such dirt not only impairs the aesthetics but also causes deterioration. In addition, when dirt adheres to the solar panel, the power generation efficiency decreases. Therefore, it is preferable to regularly clean the roofs and outer walls of buildings, solar panels, etc.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 7381153 describes a surface treatment unit that can be used for cleaning the roofs and outer walls of buildings, solar panels, etc. This surface treatment unit includes an unmanned aircraft (flying mobile body), a rotary brush for cleaning the surface to be cleaned such as the roofs and outer walls of buildings and solar panels, and a frame connecting the unmanned aircraft and the rotary brush.

[0004] According to this surface treatment unit, it is possible to clean the roofs and outer walls of buildings, solar panels, etc. without installing a large scaffold, so that the cleaning work can be facilitated and the cleaning work cost can be reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the surface treatment unit described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7381153, the rotating brush is pressed against the surface to be cleaned by gravity. Therefore, it may not be possible to ensure sufficient pressure of the rotating brush against the surface to be cleaned, and thus dirt may not be removed sufficiently.

[0007] The present invention aims to realize a cleaning device structure that can ensure sufficient pressure of the rotating brush against the surface to be cleaned. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A cleaning device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an unmanned aerial vehicle, a brush mechanism, and a connecting mechanism.

[0009] The brush mechanism comprises a support frame, a rotating brush, and a rotating blade.

[0010] The rotating brush is supported by the support frame.

[0011] The rotor blade is supported by the support frame and generates thrust that presses the rotating brush against the surface to be cleaned.

[0012] The connection mechanism connects the unmanned aerial vehicle and the support frame.

[0013] In a cleaning apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the connection mechanism may have a plurality of link members that are pivotably connected to one another.

[0014] In this case, the connection mechanism may further include a damper stretched between the link members.

[0015] Alternatively, in a cleaning apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention, the connection mechanism may have a flexible member.

[0016] A cleaning device according to one aspect of the present invention may further include an aircraft-side nozzle supported by the unmanned aerial vehicle and for spraying liquid toward the surface to be cleaned.

[0017] In the cleaning device according to one aspect of the present invention, the brush mechanism unit may be supported by the support frame and further include a brush-side nozzle that injects liquid toward the surface to be cleaned.

[0018] In the cleaning device according to one aspect of the present invention, the rotating brush can rotate about a central axis disposed substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned.

[0019] The present invention can appropriately combine and implement each of the above-described aspects within a non-contradictory range.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the cleaning device of one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the pressing force of the rotating brush against the surface to be cleaned.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a cleaning device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the brush mechanism unit taken out.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] A cleaning device according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0023] The cleaning device 1 includes an unmanned aircraft 2, a brush mechanism unit 3, and a connection mechanism 4.

[0024] The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has the necessary performance, and may be either rotary-wing or fixed-wing, but it is preferably a rotary-wing type that is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, has high maneuverability, and has hovering capabilities. When using a rotary-wing UAV, i.e., a multicopter, as the UAV 2, the number of rotors is not particularly limited and can be any number.

[0025] The unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is required to have a maximum load capacity sufficient to transport the brush mechanism 3 and the connecting mechanism 4, as well as each component attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle 2.

[0026] The brush mechanism 3 comprises a support frame 5, a rotating brush 6, and a rotating blade 7.

[0027] The support frame 5 supports the rotating brush 6 and the rotor blade 7.

[0028] The support frame 5 is constructed by combining multiple pipe materials, although this is not limited to the above.

[0029] The rotating brush 6 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) and rotates around its central axis C. The central axis C of the rotating brush 6 can be positioned approximately parallel to the surface to be cleaned S, or it can be positioned approximately perpendicular to the surface to be cleaned S. In this example, the rotating brush 6 is rotatable around a central axis C positioned approximately parallel to the surface to be cleaned S.

[0030] A portion of the rotating brush 6 protrudes from the support frame 5.

[0031] In this example, the lower end of the rotating brush 6 protrudes lower than the lower end of the support frame 5. When the rotating brush 6 is driven to rotate, the thrust generated by the rotating blades 7 presses its lower end against the surface to be cleaned S, which is a horizontal or inclined surface like the roof of a building, thereby scrubbing off dirt adhering to the surface to be cleaned S.

[0032] However, when applying a cleaning device according to one aspect of the present invention to a cleaning device that cleans a surface to be cleaned, such as the exterior wall of a building, which is a vertical or inclined surface, the end of the rotating brush in a direction perpendicular to its central axis and vertical direction can be made to protrude from the support frame. In this case, the portion of the rotating brush that protrudes from the support frame is pressed against the surface to be cleaned by the thrust generated by the rotor blades, thereby scrubbing off the dirt adhering to the surface to be cleaned.

[0033] The material of the rotating brush 6 is not particularly limited and is appropriately determined depending on the material of the surface to be cleaned S, the type of cleaning solution and dirt, etc. For example, the rotating brush 6 can be made of synthetic resins such as polyamide and polypropylene, or natural materials such as cotton.

[0034] Furthermore, the number of rotating brushes 6 is not limited to one; there can be multiple brushes.

[0035] The rotor blade 7 is supported by the support frame 5 and generates thrust that presses the rotating brush 6 against the surface to be cleaned S.

[0036] The rotor blade 7 can be supported by the support frame 5 in a portion located on the opposite side of the central axis C of the rotor brush 6 from the portion that presses the rotor brush 6 against the surface to be cleaned S, with respect to the direction in which the rotor brush 6 presses against the surface to be cleaned S.

[0037] In this example, the rotor blade 7 is supported at the upper end of the support frame 5. This allows the rotor blade 7 to apply downward thrust relative to the support frame 5, thereby pressing the lower end of the rotating brush 6 against the surface to be cleaned S.

[0038] Furthermore, if the end of the rotating brush in a direction perpendicular to its central axis and vertical direction protrudes from the support frame, the rotor blade is supported by the part of the support frame located on the opposite side of the central axis of the rotating brush from the part that presses the rotating brush against the surface to be cleaned, with respect to the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the rotating brush and vertical direction.

[0039] The number (number of sets), material, shape, and number of rotor blades 7 are not particularly limited and are determined as appropriate according to the required thrust. For example, in this example, there are two rotor blades 7 (two sets), but the number of rotor blades 7 can be one or three or more.

[0040] In this example, the brush mechanism 3 further includes, as an optional component, a brush-side nozzle 8 supported by a support frame 5, which sprays liquid toward the surface to be cleaned S.

[0041] In this example, the brush-side nozzles 8 are attached to the ends on both sides in the width direction of the upper part of the support frame 5. High-pressure water is sprayed from the brush-side nozzles 8. This allows for rinsing away the cleaning fluid sprayed from the aircraft-side nozzles (described later) and dirt scraped off by the rotating brushes 6.

[0042] Liquid can be supplied to the brush-side nozzle 8 from a tank 9a installed on the ground, a water supply, or a tank supported by a support frame 5 or an unmanned aerial vehicle 2. In this example, the cleaning device 1 is configured to supply water to the brush-side nozzle 8 from a tank 9a installed on the ground via a hose 10a.

[0043] The connection mechanism 4 connects the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the support frame 5. Specifically, the connection mechanism 4 connects the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the support frame 5 in such a way that it allows relative movement between the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the support frame 5 in the near and far directions, while restricting the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the support frame 5 from moving apart by more than a predetermined distance.

[0044] The number and arrangement of the connecting mechanisms 4 are not particularly limited, as long as they stabilize the posture of the rotating brush 6, that is, the central axis C of the rotating brush 6 can be made substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned. For example, if there is one connecting mechanism 4, it can be stretched between the center of the support frame 5 in the width direction and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2. If there are multiple connecting mechanisms 4, they can be stretched between multiple locations in the width direction of the support frame 5 and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2.

[0045] In this example, two connecting mechanisms 4 are stretched between the ends of the support frame 5 in the width direction and the unmanned aerial vehicle 2.

[0046] Furthermore, the connection mechanism 4 can be made of any member, as long as it allows relative movement between the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the support frame 5 in the near and far directions, while preventing the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 and the support frame 5 from moving beyond a predetermined distance.

[0047] For example, the connecting mechanism 4 can be made of a flexible member such as a rope made of natural or synthetic fibers, a metal wire rope, or a chain. Alternatively, the connecting mechanism 4 can be made by connecting a plurality of link members 11a, 11b so that they can swing relative to each other.

[0048] In this example, the connection mechanism 4 is constructed by connecting one end of two link members 11a and 11b (the proximal end of each) so that they can swing around a pivot P positioned approximately parallel to the central axis C of the rotating brush 6. Of the two link members 11a and 11b, the other end of one link member 11a is connected and fixed to the lower part of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2, and the other end of the other link member 11b is connected and fixed to the upper part of the rotating brush 6. The connection mechanism can also be constructed by connecting three or more link members so that they can swing.

[0049] In this example, the connection mechanism 4 further includes a damper 12 stretched between the link members 11a and 11b.

[0050] The damper 12 includes a cylinder and a piston. The bottom of the cylinder is connected to one of two link members 11a and 11b, allowing it to swing about an axis positioned substantially parallel to the pivot P, and the tip of the piston's rod is connected to the other of the two link members 11a and 11b, allowing it to swing about an axis positioned substantially parallel to the pivot P.

[0051] This prevents the other link member 11b from rotating forcefully relative to the other link member 11a. For this reason, for example, when cleaning is performed at a power plant where multiple solar panels are installed at an inclination with respect to the horizontal plane, when cleaning one solar panel is completed and the driver moves to an adjacent solar panel, it is possible to prevent the rotating brush 6 from falling forcefully onto the light-receiving surface (the surface to be cleaned S) of the solar panel and causing damage.

[0052] The structure of the damper 12 is not particularly limited, and various structures such as mechanical (spring type), hydraulic type, and gas pressure type can be adopted.

[0053] Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the damper 12, a torsion coil spring may be incorporated into the swing support portion between the link members 11a and 11b to prevent the other link member 11b from rotating forcefully relative to the other link member 11a.

[0054] The cleaning device 1 in this example further comprises, as an optional component, an aircraft-side nozzle 13 supported by an unmanned aerial vehicle 2, which sprays liquid toward the surface S to be cleaned.

[0055] A cleaning solution is sprayed from the aircraft-side nozzle 13. The type of cleaning solution is not particularly limited and is selected as appropriate depending on the material of the surface to be cleaned S, the type of dirt, etc.

[0056] The aircraft-side nozzle 13 is preferably configured to allow remote control of the start and stop of liquid injection.

[0057] The liquid (in this example, cleaning fluid) supplied to the aircraft-side nozzle 13 can be supplied from a tank or water supply installed on the ground, or from a tank supported by the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 or the support frame 5. In this example, the cleaning device 1 is configured to supply cleaning fluid to the aircraft-side nozzle 13 from a tank 9b installed on the ground via a hose 10b.

[0058] When cleaning the surface S using the cleaning device 1 in this example, first, the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 is taken off and moved to the airspace above the cleaning start position. Cleaning liquid is sprayed from the aircraft-side nozzle 13 toward the surface S. By adjusting the flight altitude of the unmanned aerial vehicle 2, the rotating brush 6 is placed on the surface S, and water is sprayed toward the surface S from the brush-side nozzle 8. Furthermore, the thrust generated by the rotor blade 7 presses the rotating brush 6 against the surface S. Then, by flying the unmanned aerial vehicle 2 so that the rotating brush 6 moves along the surface S, dirt adhering to the surface S is removed.

[0059] Furthermore, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV2) can be flown by remote control by an operator, or it can be flown by automatic piloting based on a predetermined route or information from sensors, etc.

[0060] According to the cleaning device 1 in this example, it is possible to clean the roofs, exterior walls, solar panels, etc. of buildings without installing large-scale scaffolding, thereby simplifying the cleaning work and reducing cleaning costs.

[0061] Furthermore, in the cleaning device 1 of this example, the thrust generated by the rotor blades 7 presses the rotating brush 6 against the surface to be cleaned S. Therefore, sufficient pressure is ensured on the surface to be cleaned S by the rotating brush 6, and dirt adhering to the surface to be cleaned S can be reliably removed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1. Washing device 2 Unmanned aerial vehicle 3. Brush mechanism 4 Connection mechanism 5. Support frame 6 Rotating Brushes 7 Rotary blades 8. Brush-side nozzle 9a, 9b tanks 10a, 10b hoses 11a, 11b Link members 12 dampers 13. Aircraft-side nozzle

Claims

1. Unmanned aerial vehicles and A brush mechanism comprising a support frame, a rotating brush supported by the support frame, and a rotating blade supported by the support frame that generates thrust to press the rotating brush against the surface to be cleaned, A connecting mechanism for connecting the unmanned aerial vehicle and the support frame, A cleaning device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned connection mechanism has a plurality of link members that are pivotably connected to one another. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned connection mechanism further includes a damper stretched between the link members. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned connection mechanism has a flexible member, The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aircraft-side nozzle, supported by the aforementioned unmanned aerial vehicle, further comprises an aircraft-side nozzle that sprays liquid toward the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The brush mechanism is supported by the support frame and further includes a brush-side nozzle that sprays liquid toward the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The rotating brush rotates about a central axis that is positioned substantially parallel to the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

Images