System and method for spraying a solution onto the facade of a structure

Abstract

A system and method for projecting a solution onto the facade of a structure are disclosed. The system comprises a pump for drawing up the solution, a tool for projecting the drawn-up solution onto the facade, a hose for connecting the pump to the tool, a drone for moving the tool relative to the facade, and a hoisting system mounted on the structure for moving a portion of the hose vertically in front of the facade, the hoisting system comprising a winch and at least one cable. At least one cable is connectable to the hose portion such that the hose portion and the drone define the extent of the hose section having a fixed length.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for spraying a solution onto the facade of a structure. The present invention also relates to a method for spraying a solution onto the facade of a structure.

Background Art

[0002] Today, various techniques are known for cleaning the facades of structures such as the facades of buildings. Well-known techniques include the use of suspension scaffolds, rope access techniques, or other devices for suspending and positioning workers in close proximity to the surface being cleaned. After being positioned, the suspended workers operate cleaning tools and move / climb further along the facade. However, the method of having people climb scaffolds typically requires suspending humans at heights, increasing the risk of accidents, so this method has drawbacks. These conditions require that the workers involved in the cleaning operation be well-trained and, in many cases, the use of many tools, which usually involves high costs.

[0003] A well-known alternative to the method of having people climb scaffolds is to use a drone for moving and directing a cleaning tool onto the facade surface to be cleaned. For example, International Publication No. WO 2015 / 150529 discloses a cleaning drone for transporting a glass cleaning device. The drone method has several advantages over the method of having people climb scaffolds. First, the human operator is not exposed to the risk of injury due to falling. Second, since the operator does not need to prepare scaffolds, climbing tools, or related materials, the labor required to perform the cleaning operation is reduced. Third, the drone method enables the conditions required to establish an automated cleaning system. This is advantageous in several respects, such as reliability, minimization of human error, and implementation of efficient water consumption.

[0004] However, the well-known method of using drones still has problems. Drones can consume a lot of power because they transport cleaning tools and means of supplying cleaning fluids, such as hoses, through their flight operations, and these can be very heavy. Also, drones can fall while performing facade cleaning operations. This type of accident can occur when the drone hits part of the building, loses power due to battery depletion, or for some other reason the drone loses its ability to fly. This is highly undesirable as it requires a lot of effort to resolve. For example, the drone or building may be damaged by the drone falling, and resolving this can be costly. Also, someone may need to go to the site to get the drone working again, which can be expensive and may take a lot of time before the drone is operational again. Furthermore, a falling drone can cause serious injury to the person it hits. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2015 / 150529 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 155344 [Patent Document 3] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 106430027 Specification [Patent Document 4] UK Patent Application Publication No. 2551565 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The present invention is disclosed below and aims to improve or reduce at least one of the shortcomings of the well-known prior art, or to provide at least a useful alternative to the well-known prior art. This objective is achieved by the features specified in the following description and the subsequent claims. The present invention is defined by the independent claims, and the dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the present invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for spraying a solution onto the facade of a structure. The system is - A pump for drawing up the solution, - A tool for firing the pumped-up solution onto the facade, - A hose for connecting the pump to the tool, - Equipped with a drone for moving the tool relative to the facade. The system further comprises a hoisting system for moving a portion of the hose vertically in front of the facade, the hoisting system comprising a winch and at least one cable. At least one cable is also connectable to the hose portion so that the hose portion and the drone define the extent of the hose section having a fixed length.

[0008] The system implements a combination of functions for the hoisting system and the hose section. Firstly, the hose supplies pumped-up solution to be fired at a tool moved by the drone. Secondly, the hoisting system and hose section composition can act as a safety rope / lifeline due to the controllability of the hoisting system and the fixed length of the hose section. This is useful in the event that the drone loses its ability to fly and falls. Thirdly, the hoisting system reduces the load placed on the drone by the weight of the hose. The weight of the hose can actually be quite significant. Therefore, the hoisting system has beneficial effects in that it reduces the power required for the drone to operate, resulting in less battery power being needed, a smaller drone being needed, and / or longer operating time.

[0009] Optionally, the hoisting system can be configured to have the maximum hoisting length, so that the sum of the maximum hoisting length and the hose section becomes the total length for suspending the drone in the air. In one embodiment, the total length for suspending the drone in the air is less than the height of the facade. The maximum hoisting length can ensure that the range of vertical movement of the drone is safely limited. Therefore, even if it falls, the hoisting system and hose section can capture the drone, and the drone can remain suspended without reaching the lowest level of the facade.

[0010] Optionally, the system can be further equipped with a tank for supplying solution to the pump. Therefore, the system can be used even if there is no supply of solution available on-site. For example, the tank can be transported on a trailer and used to supply solution to the pump. After the job is done, the system, along with the tank, can be moved to another location.

[0011] Optionally, the drone can be configured to execute a flight program when deployed, which moves the drone along a predefined path relative to the facade. Thus, the system allows for personalized actions for the structure. For example, the flight program can be configured on the drone to spray a solution to either only windows and / or glass surfaces, only surfaces that are neither windows nor glass, all surfaces of all facades, or all surfaces of only one of those facades.

[0012] Optionally, the hose section must be a maximum of 15 meters in length.

[0013] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for spraying a solution onto the facade of a structure, the method being: - A step of providing a system according to a first aspect of the present invention, - Steps include installing the hoisting system on top of the structure, - Steps include connecting the hoisting system to the hose section, - A step to move the hose section vertically in front of the facade, - The step of starting the pump so that the drawn-up solution is ejected from the tool onto the facade, - The steps include deploying a drone to fly towards the facade within a radius from the hose section, where the radius is formed by the hose section.

[0014] Optionally, the deployment step includes positioning the drone so that it flies to a maximum height of the hose section. Thus, the height of the hose section is largely raised by the hoisting system, which is advantageous for improving the drone's maneuverability.

[0015] Optionally, this method includes the step of installing a pump on the structure. Thus, this method can be implemented with alternative pump positioning. This embodiment is useful when a less powerful hoisting system is required. Also, the overall length of the hose can be shortened.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. is a diagram showing an embodiment of a system used on a building. [Figure 2] FIG. is a diagram showing another embodiment of a system used on another building.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] The drawings are shown schematically and simply, and may omit features not necessary for explaining the present invention. In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar features. The various features shown in the drawings may not necessarily be drawn to scale.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a system according to the present invention is shown. The facade 910 of the structure 900, in this example the facade 910 of the building 900, is being cleaned by a cleaning liquid being emitted onto the facade 910 from a tool 130 operably connected to a drone 150. For purposes of illustration, the facade 910 is shown as having a rectangular shape, and the building 900 is shown as standing on the ground 800.

[0020] Embodiments of the method according to the present invention are implemented as follows.

[0021] A system for spraying a solution onto the facade 910 is installed on site. The system includes a pump 120 for drawing up the solution, a tool 130 for spraying the drawn-up solution onto the facade 910, a hose 140 for connecting the pump 120 to the tool 130, and a drone 150 for moving the tool 130 relative to the facade 910.

[0022] In the system embodiment shown in Figure 1, the steps of providing a tank 110 for supplying a solution to the pump 120 and fluidly connecting the tank 110 to the pump 120 were further carried out. In the situation shown in Figure 1, it was not possible to obtain a supply of available solution on-site, and therefore it was necessary to bring a tank 110 to supply the required solution. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many structures may already include on-site supply of solution, in which case the step of providing the tank 110 should be unnecessary.

[0023] The system also includes a hoisting system for moving a portion of the hose 140 vertically in front of the facade 910. In Figure 1, the hoisting system is implemented as a cable 162 and a winch 161 for winding the cable, with the winch 161 controlling the length of the cable 162 extending from the winch 161. Further steps were also taken to install the winch 161 of the hoisting system on top of the building 900, and to connect the hoisting system to the hose portion via the cable 162 so that the hose portion and the drone 150 define the extent of the hose section 141 having a fixed length. In Figure 1, the hose portion is shown as a black dot at the end of the cable 162 where the hose 140 is connected to the cable 162.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will understand that in other circumstances, it may be advantageous to set up the winch 161 in a different manner. For example, the winch 161 could be set up at an intermediate level on the building 900.

[0025] This method further involves the steps of moving the hose section vertically in front of the facade 910, activating the pump 120 so that the pumped solution is ejected from the tool 130 onto the facade 910, and deploying the drone 150 to fly relative to the facade 910 within a radius from the hose section, the radius being formed by the hose section 141. In Figure 1, the drone 150 is configured by the flight program to fly substantially parallel to the facade 910 and at a substantially constant distance from the facade 910. For example, the configured constant distance can be from 30 cm to 3 meters.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the winch 161 is configured to have a maximum hoisting length, i.e., the maximum length of the cable 162 that can be pulled out from the winch 161. In particular, the maximum hoisting length is configured such that the total length, including the hose section 141, is sufficient to substantially suspend the drone 150 in the air if the drone 150 loses its ability to fly and falls. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the total length is less than the height of the facade 910.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the structure 900. For illustrative purposes, the structure 900 shown in Figure 2 can be considered to be a building, a residence, a monument, or a marine structure. The structure 900 has a facade 910 that has been previously exposed to a cleaning solution and is now being washed with a solution that mainly contains water to remove bubbles generated by the cleaning solution, as shown in Figure 2.

[0028] The facade 910 is constrained at its base by an external element 800 that establishes a vertical barrier, and the drone 150 cannot fly through the vertical barrier. For example, if the structure 900 is considered to be a building, residence, or monument, the facade 910 can be considered to be constrained at its base by the ground 800. If the structure 900 is considered to be an offshore structure such as an offshore drilling rig, the facade 910 can be considered to be constrained at its base by seawater 800.

[0029] The structure 900 includes a system for firing a solution onto the facade 910 of the structure 900. The system is installed on the top surface of the structure 900, for example, on the roof or deck. The system also includes a pump 120 for drawing up the solution, a tool 130 for firing the drawn-up solution onto the facade 910, a hose 140 for connecting the pump 120 to the tool 130, a drone 150 for moving the tool 130 relative to the facade 910, and a hoisting system for moving a portion of the hose vertically in front of the facade 910, which is implemented as a winch 161 as in Figure 1.

[0030] In Figure 2, the structure 900 includes a system 930 for supplying a solution used to wash away bubbles from a previously applied cleaning solution. For example, the solution supply system 930 may be available on the structure 900 as a connection from a public water supply or as an internal tank.

[0031] In the above description, the many options for the solution to be sprayed onto the facade will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, typical solutions used when performing a cleaning operation on a facade include a solvent such as water to which a detergent product has been added. In other cases, other types of solutions can be used. In some steps, the solution may consist of water with no additional components dissolved in it.

[0032] It should be noted that the embodiments described above are illustrative and not limiting to the present invention, and that those skilled in the art can design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Any reference numerals enclosed in parentheses in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations shall not exclude the existence of elements or steps other than those described in the claims. The articles "a" or "an" preceding an element shall not exclude the existence of multiple such elements.

Claims

1. A system for spraying a solution onto the facade of a structure, - A pump for drawing up the aforementioned solution, - A tool for firing the pumped-up solution onto the facade, - A hose for connecting the pump to the tool, - A drone for moving the aforementioned tool relative to the facade, - A hoisting system for moving a portion of the hose vertically in front of the facade, wherein the hoisting system comprises a winch and at least one cable, The system is characterized in that at least one cable is connectable to the hose portion such that the hose portion and the drone define the range of the hose section having a fixed length.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hoisting system can be configured to have a maximum hoisting length, and therefore the sum of the maximum hoisting length and the hose section is the total length for suspending the drone in the air.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the facade has height, A system characterized in that the total length for suspending the drone in the air is smaller than the height of the facade.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a tank for supplying the solution to the pump.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The system is characterized in that the drone can be configured to execute a flight program when deployed, and the flight program causes the drone to move along a predefined path relative to the facade.

6. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hose section is at most 15 meters in length.

7. A method for spraying a solution onto the facade of a structure, - A step of providing the system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, - The step of installing the hoisting system on the structure, - The step of connecting the winding system to the hose portion, - A step of moving the hose portion vertically in front of the facade, - The step of starting the pump so that the pumped solution is ejected from the tool onto the facade, A method comprising the step of deploying the drone so as to fly toward the facade within a radius from the hose portion, wherein the radius is formed by the hose section.

8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the deployment step includes deploying the drone such that it flies to at most the height of the hose portion.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, - A method characterized by including the step of installing the pump on the structure.

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