Self-cleaning surface system and cleaning method

Abstract

A self-cleaning surface system comprising: one or more rotatable bodies (19); a support structure (3) supporting the one or more rotatable bodies, the one or more rotatable bodies being configured to rotate about corresponding rotation axes relative to the support structure, the one or more rotatable bodies having corresponding cleanable surfaces (1) that are parallel to the corresponding rotation axes and configured to rotate together with the corresponding rotatable bodies from a state facing a first direction to a state facing a second direction, and vice versa, the first direction being opposite to the second direction; a rotation mechanism; a cleaning mechanism including a cleaning liquid ejection mechanism; and an actuation mechanism, the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism being arranged such that when activated, the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism ejects cleaning liquid towards the one or more cleanable surfaces when the one or more cleanable surfaces face the second direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning system, and more specifically, to a self-cleaning surface system. The present invention also relates to a method for self-cleaning the surface of the system. Either the cleaning system or the self-cleaning is preferably automatic.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a rotating billboard with a foam spraying function, comprising a tank and a plurality of rotatable triangular rotating bodies arranged in parallel to the tank, each having a triangular cross-section, with a storage plate positioned between the tank and the triangular rotating bodies, and a plurality of spraying devices arranged in a matrix on the storage plate. Patent Document 2 discloses a waterproof and dustproof billboard comprising a shell, an advertising display device and an advertising cleaning device, with a fixed rod installed on one side of the shell, a rotating rod installed on the outside of the fixed rod, solar panels installed on the upper parts of the fixed rod and the rotating rod, respectively, and a water leakage groove formed on the outer wall of the solar panel. Patent Document 3 discloses an integrated, changeable billboard comprising a box body, with a frame fixedly connected to the upper surface of the box body, four first bearings clamped to the upper surface of the box body and the upper surface of the inner wall of the frame, a first rotating shaft sleeved by four pairs of first bearings, and the lower ends of the four first rotating shafts fixedly connected to a transmission wheel.

[0003] Existing cleaning solutions for surfaces require either a person or an external cleaning system (e.g., a cleaning robot). For example, the cleaning procedure for a dirty floor may be performed by cleaning staff, a cleaning robot, or a combination of both. Also, the equipment is usually unavailable during the cleaning process of the dirty surface. Despite the fact that cleaning staff can perform the cleaning procedure properly, nothing can guarantee the cleanliness of the floor. The next person using the clean surface may immediately dirty it again. The present invention targets all fields including humans or animals and dirty surfaces. There are two main disadvantages of the known cleaning procedures for surfaces. First, the surface does not automatically clean itself, and second, after the cleaning staff or an external cleaning system has cleaned those surfaces, no one can guarantee their cleanliness.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The technical terms used herein are solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. As used herein, the terms “and / or” include any or all combination of one or more of the related enumerated items. As used herein, “one” and “it” are intended to include both singular and plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the term “equipped with” as used herein identifies the presence of a described feature, step, action, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence of one or more additional features, steps, actions, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as they are generally understood by those skilled in the art in the industry to which the invention belongs. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have meanings consistent with their meanings in the context of the Art and this Disclosure, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein. It should be understood that several techniques and steps are disclosed in describing the invention. Each of these has its own individual benefit, and each may be used in conjunction with one or more, or possibly all, of the other disclosed techniques. Therefore, for clarity, this description refrains from unnecessarily repeating every conceivable combination of the individual steps. Nevertheless, it should be understood that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims when reading this specification and the claims.

[0006] According to various embodiments, a self-cleaning surface system is provided. Methods for the self-cleaning surface of the system are also provided.

[0007] The present invention relates to a self-cleaning surface system and a method the system follows to clean its surfaces. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system that cleans its surfaces by using a cleaning mechanism which starts the system either automatically or manually and follows a specific sequence in which it rotates the dirty surfaces of the system itself. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system which can flip a dirty surface over to a clean surface.

[0008] The present invention can be adapted to floors, walls, kitchen countertops or food processing surfaces, desks, or any place where a clean and disinfected surface is constantly desired. If someone uses a surface and soils it, the system's controller can signal a motor to flip the soiled surface over, bringing the clean surface on top. In this way, the surface can be made clean, disinfected, and usable. The system can operate according to a programmed rotation sequence and can be started either automatically or manually.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a self-cleaning surface system comprising: one or more rotatable bodies; a support structure for supporting one or more rotatable bodies, wherein one or more rotatable bodies are configured to rotate about a rotation axis corresponding to the support structure, the one or more rotatable bodies having corresponding washable surfaces, the corresponding washable surfaces being parallel to the rotation axis, and configured to rotate together with the corresponding rotatable bodies from a state facing a first direction to a state facing a second direction, and vice versa, where the first direction is opposite to the second direction; a rotation mechanism configured to rotate one or more rotatable bodies; a cleaning mechanism including a cleaning liquid ejection mechanism; and an activation mechanism configured to activate the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism when each washable surface faces a second direction, wherein when activated, the cleaning ejection mechanism is arranged to eject cleaning liquid toward one or more washable surfaces when one or more washable surfaces face a second direction.

[0010] The rotatable body of the present invention allows the washable surface to rotate from a state where it faces a first direction, which is the operating position, to a state where it faces a second direction, which is the cleaning position. When the washable surface faces or is facing the first direction, the user can use the cleaning surface, and the washable surface may become soiled. When the rotatable body rotates to a position where the washable surface faces or is facing the second direction, the cleaning mechanism can be activated, and the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism proceeds to clean the soil from the washable surface. Thereafter, the rotatable body can rotate again, and the washable surface can face the first direction and become usable after cleaning and / or disinfection. The rotatable body may also be named “profile”.

[0011] The rotatable body is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation corresponding to the support structure. Each corresponding axis of rotation of the rotatable body is parallel to the washable surface and can be at different distances from the washable surface, which can result in different radii of rotation of the washable surface. The support structure corresponds to any structure that provides fittings and support points to the rotatable body, and the support structure may include any other elements that provide rotatable connections of the profile.

[0012] The washable surface of one or more rotatable bodies is configured such that, as the rotatable body rotates, the washable surface can change its position from facing a first direction to facing a second direction, and vice versa, where the first direction is opposite to the second direction. The rotation between the first position facing the first direction and the second position facing the second direction can be achieved by a 180-degree rotation.

[0013] The rotation mechanism provides motion to the rotatable, washable surface of the rotatable body from a state facing a first direction to a state facing a second direction. The cleaning mechanism includes a cleaning liquid ejection mechanism, which is configured to eject liquid over one or more washable surfaces facing or oriented toward the second direction, i.e., when the washable surface is in the second position. The cleaning mechanism may either clean all washable surfaces of one or more rotatable bodies simultaneously, or clean one or more washable surfaces sequentially. The cleaning liquid ejection mechanism is configured to be directed toward a specific area of ​​the washable surface. The cleaning ejection mechanism may also be movable during the cleaning procedure to be directed toward different areas of the washable surface.

[0014] The activation mechanism is configured to activate the liquid ejection mechanism when each of the one or more washable surfaces faces or is oriented toward a second direction, i.e., when the washable surfaces are in a second position. The activation mechanism may include any type of sensor, such as proximity, pressure, position, touch, or others, which may provide a safety mechanism for the user of the self-cleaning surface system to prevent the operation of the self-cleaning surface system when either the user or an obstruction is above or in close proximity to the washable surfaces of the system. The activation mechanism may include a controller for establishing and executing a sequence for cleaning the washable surfaces. The controller may also activate the rotation of a rotatable body before and after cleaning the washable surfaces. In one embodiment, the activation mechanism of the self-cleaning surface mechanism may include an injector configured to regulate the ejection of liquid, preferably the injector including one or more motorized valves.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, each rotatable body of the self-cleaning surface system may include an additional cleanable surface opposite to the corresponding cleanable surface, the additional cleanable surface may be configured to face a second direction when the corresponding cleanable surface faces a first direction, and vice versa, and a cleaning fluid ejection mechanism, when activated, is arranged to eject cleaning fluid toward one of the cleanable surfaces of one or more rotatable bodies facing the second direction. The corresponding cleanable surface of each rotatable body may also be called the first cleanable surface, and the additional cleanable surface of each rotatable body may also be called the second cleanable surface. This configuration may allow for having a second cleanable surface facing the first direction when the first cleanable surface faces the second direction. In other words, this configuration may allow for having a second cleanable surface readily available to the user of the surface while the cleaning mechanism is cleaning the first cleanable surface. In this way, when a corresponding or first washable surface becomes soiled, the rotatable body can rotate the first washable surface from a first position to a second position, thereby moving the second washable surface to a second position, i.e., the positions of the first washable surface and the second washable surface can be swapped. In one embodiment where the self-cleaning surface system is part of the floor, the first washable surface may be on top, followed by the rotatable body, the second washable surface, and the cleaning system, or if the rotatable body rotates because the first washable surface is soiled, the positions of the first and second washable surfaces will be swapped, and the second washable surface will become available for use as flooring while the first washable surface is being cleaned.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more rotatable bodies may include an elongated beam and two flat bodies at the distal end of the rotatable body, the flat bodies being parallel to each other. The rotatable body, which may also be called a profile, may have a cross-section having the shape of an I-beam or an H-beam. One or more profiles may have any shape or size and may be made of any material that is hard enough to conform to the purposes of the present invention, such as a metal alloy or a polymer material. The flat bodies may include a washable surface suitable for cleaning with a cleaning liquid or cleaning and disinfecting solution, or may be made entirely of a washable material suitable for the same purposes.

[0017] According to one embodiment, a self-cleaning surface system may comprise a plurality of rotatable bodies arranged adjacent to each other, wherein the geometric cross-section of each rotatable body is incident on and preferably perpendicular to the cleanable surface, and the rotatable bodies include recesses configured such that, when the rotatable body rotates, the cleanable surface of each rotatable body can at least partially fit into or pass through the recesses of adjacent rotatable bodies. That is, the cleanable surfaces of the self-cleaning surface system may be arranged adjacent to each other to form a continuous cleanable surface, and each rotatable body can rotate due to the presence of recesses along the geometric cross-section of the rotatable body. The recesses prevent collisions between adjacent rotatable bodies when the rotatable body rotates. By placing the cleanable surfaces adjacent to each other, it is possible to obtain a larger area of ​​cleanable surface while avoiding excessive gaps between the cleanable surfaces.

[0018] In one embodiment, the rotating mechanism of the self-cleaning surface system may further include one or more motors configured to rotate a rotatable body, each rotatable body being in a corresponding odd or even position in the sequence of positions, and each even position being adjacent to a corresponding odd position in the sequence. One or more motors may be configured to rotate rotatable bodies that may be adjacent to one another. Each rotatable body may be in either an even or odd position. The even and odd positions are assigned by numbering sequentially from the first rotatable body in the sequence to the last rotatable body, or vice versa. As an example, if the self-cleaning surface system has seven profiles, there are three rotatable bodies in even positions and four rotatable bodies in odd positions. From this, it will be clear that, unless an odd or even position is the last in the sequence of positions, an odd position follows an even position in the sequence, and vice versa.

[0019] In another embodiment, the rotation mechanism of the self-cleaning surface system may include two motors, one of which is configured to rotate a rotatable body at a corresponding odd position, and the other motor is configured to rotate a rotatable body at a corresponding even position. Thus, the motors can be configured to impart motion to rotatable bodies at either an even or odd position. This enables independent rotation of the rotatable bodies at even and odd positions, and similarly, the cleanable surface. In another embodiment, the two motors may be configured to first rotate all rotatable bodies at a corresponding odd position, and then rotate all rotatable bodies at a corresponding even position, or vice versa. As a result, the rotatable bodies can be rotated alternately as needed. With respect to adjacent rotatable bodies, a combination of recesses that allow rotation of the rotatable body and alternating rotation of the rotatable bodies along the geometric cross-section of each rotatable body, which is incident on the cleanable surface and preferably perpendicular to it, can completely avoid collisions between adjacent rotatable bodies during the operation of the system. Alternating rotations of rotatable bodies can be initiated by first rotating all rotatable bodies in corresponding even positions, then rotating the rotatable bodies in corresponding odd positions, and vice versa.

[0020] In one embodiment, the rotating mechanism further includes one or more worm drive mechanisms, each configured to transmit motion from a motor to a rotatable body. A worm drive mechanism is also known as an endless screw mechanism. A worm drive may include a worm, which is a gear on the front of a screw, and a worm wheel, which has an appearance similar to a spur gear.

[0021] In one embodiment, the rotation mechanism of the self-cleaning surface system may further include gears configured to transmit motion from a motor to a rotatable body, preferably the gears being Geneva gears. The Geneva gear, also called a Geneva mechanism, may include a driving wheel and a driven wheel. The Geneva gear can convert continuous motion from a motor into discontinuous motion, which is then transmitted to the rotatable body. The rotation of the Geneva gear is preferably performed by a series of 90-degree rotations. If the system is to rotate the cleanable surface from facing a first direction to facing a second direction by a 180-degree rotation, then two series of discontinuous 90-degree rotations are performed. The system may also function by the continuous motion of standard gears and profiles, but for better performance of the system, a locking system for locking the position of the rotatable body may be required. A self-cleaning surface system with Geneva gears for transmitting motion from a motor to a rotatable body can avoid the use of a locking system for locking the position of the profile, i.e., the Geneva gears can lock a particular position of the rotatable body during rotation.

[0022] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further include a transmission chain connected to a gear and configured to transmit motion from a motor to the gear.

[0023] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further include at least one timing belt, and the at least one timing belt is connected to a gear and configured to transmit motion from a motor to the gear. In another embodiment, the timing belt may distribute motion from the motor to rotatable bodies, and one timing belt may transmit motion from a first motor to rotatable bodies at even positions, and another timing belt may transmit motion from a second motor to rotatable bodies at odd positions. In yet another embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further include a belt tensioner for applying tension to the timing belt and a guide roll for guiding the timing belt. The guide roll may contribute to effectively distributing the motion from the motor by the rotatable bodies.

[0024] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further include one or more axles, and the rotatable bodies are attached to a support structure using the one or more axles, and preferably each rotatable body is attached using two of the axles and is rotatable. The axles may be used to rotatably connect the rotatable bodies to the support structure. In one embodiment, each rotatable body may include two axles, where one of the axles has a gear for transmitting motion from the motor, while the other functions as a support axle.

[0025] In one embodiment, the rotation mechanism of the self-cleaning surface system may further include bushings or bearings, and the axles are attached to the support structure using the bushings or bearings. The bearings or bushings in this embodiment improve the rotatable connection of the axles and thus the support structure of the rotatable bodies. The bushings may be self-lubricating bushings. The bushings or bearings may be inside sockets or holders.

[0026] In one embodiment, the support structure of the self-cleaning surface system can be a frame. The frame can be around a rotatable body and can be used to support the rotatable body. The frame can also be arranged to support at least a part of the rotation mechanism and the cleaning mechanism, such as one or more motors.

[0027] In one embodiment, the cleaning liquid can be a cleaning solution, and the cleaning solution can contain a cleaning agent or a disinfectant. In other embodiments, the cleaning liquid can be steam, and the steam can be steam of water or steam of water containing a cleaning agent and / or a disinfectant.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the cleaning ejection mechanism of the self-cleaning surface system can include one or more spray nozzles configured to spray a cleaning liquid over a cleanable surface facing in a second direction, preferably the cleaning liquid contains a cleaning agent and / or a disinfectant. The spray nozzles can be configured to face towards one or more cleanable surfaces facing in the second direction. The spray nozzles can be arranged at an angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees with respect to a geometric plane that coincides with the cleanable surface, under the condition that the cleaning liquid ejected from at least one of the spray nozzles reaches all the cleaning surfaces of the system. The spray nozzles can help with efficient cleaning of the cleanable surface and distribution of the cleaning liquid over the cleanable surface.

[0029] In one embodiment, the cleaning mechanism of the self-cleaning surface system can further include one or more windshield-type wipers (which can be simply called wipers in this application) configured to clean a cleanable surface facing in a second direction, preferably each wiper is rotatable from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The wipers can supplement and improve the cleaning performed by the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism. The wipers can be configured to contact one or more surfaces when rotating and clean the surface from strong dirt. One or more wipers can contact one or more cleanable surfaces and can be used to clean one or more cleanable surfaces. When two or more wipers are used, different wipers can operate alternately.

[0030] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further comprise one or more motors connected to a wiper by an angle gear and configured to rotate the wiper. In one embodiment, the system may comprise one or more motors connected to a rotatable body and one or more motors connected to the wiper by an angle gear, and the starting of the motors connected to the wiper is independent of the starting of the motors connected to the rotatable body. In other embodiments, one or more motors may be connected to both the rotatable body and the wiper simultaneously, and the motors are arranged to shift the transmission toward either the rotatable body or the wiper.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the system may further comprise one or more wheel brushes configured to clean a washable surface facing a second direction. The wheel brushes may come into contact with the washable surface facing the second direction. The wheel brushes may be used in combination with a cleaning fluid ejected from a cleaning mechanism.

[0032] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further comprise a case into which the system fits. The case may enclose the cleaning system and a rotating mechanism, leaving a cleanable surface facing a first direction available for use. The case may be configured to collect cleaning liquid, or cleaning and disinfecting solutions, used for cleaning the cleanable surface facing a second direction. In another embodiment, the case of the self-cleaning surface system may further include a floor sink. The floor sink may be configured for draining the cleaning liquid, or cleaning and disinfecting solutions.

[0033] In other embodiments, one or more washable surfaces of a self-cleaning surface system may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of ceramics, granite, glass, plexiglass, stone, metal, plastic wood, synthetic materials, organic materials, or combinations thereof. Any material suitable for cleaning with a cleaning solution or disinfecting solution may be used for the washable surface. In other embodiments, the washable surface may be made of a hydrophobic material. Hydrophobic materials can facilitate the cleaning and drying of the washable surface.

[0034] In one embodiment, the activation mechanism may include a controller configured to control the rotation and cleaning mechanism of the profile. The controlled controller may be configured to establish the sequence of steps required to clean the cleanable surface. In other embodiments, the system may further include a sensor configured to detect at least one element on one or more cleanable surfaces facing a first direction. The controller may be configured to receive an activation signal using a sensor installed in the self-cleaning surface system, which provides information about the presence of dirt on the cleanable surface facing the first direction, detects the presence of elements on the top of the cleanable surface that could cause malfunction of the system's operation, and / or gathers information to determine the termination of some particular step in the sequence of steps.

[0035] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further include one or more sensors configured to initiate cleaning of the cleanable surface or rotation of a rotatable body. The sensors may be configured to detect external actions or stimuli that condition the system's activation or deactivation. In other words, the sensors may be configured to signal either the rotation of the rotatable body or the cleaning of the cleanable surface. In one embodiment, the sensor may be an optical sensor configured to detect one or more light fluctuations originating from at least one element or user on the top of the cleanable surface. As a result, if the optical sensor detects any light fluctuations originating from at least one element or user on the top of the cleanable surface, the system may stop the cleaning procedure, avoiding any damage to the system or user. In another embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further include a weight sensor configured to sense weight fluctuations originating from at least one element or user on the top of the cleanable surface. In this embodiment, the sensor may be configured to detect the weight of any element or user that may be on the top of the system's cleanable surface, and this information is used as a condition for initiating, stopping, or continuing the cleaning or rotation of the cleanable surface. In other words, for example, if a user is on top of a washable surface, the sequence for cleaning or rotating the washable surface will not begin until the washable surface is free. In other embodiments, the system may further include a motion camera configured to detect at least one element or user on top of the washable surface. The motion camera may be configured to record images or video from the element or user on top of the washable surface. These images or video may be used as conditions for starting or continuing the cleaning of the washable surface or the rotation of the rotatable body, i.e., the cleaning procedure.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may be configured to be manually activated. The system may be configured to be activated by a user. The user may activate the system by pressing a button on a controller on any other element, either remotely or manually. The user may activate the system at their convenience, but the system may also suffer from malfunctions caused by detecting or sensing elements on the top of the cleanable surface, or by signals originating from such elements, which could cause system failure.

[0037] In another embodiment, the system may be configured to automatically initiate the rotation of the profile and the cleaning of the washable surface. The cleaning procedure, which includes the rotation of the rotatable body and the cleaning of the washable surface, may be automatically initiated by the system when the system uses sensors to detect that there are no obstacles or users on the washable surface. The system may also be automatically initiated when the system detects dirt on one or more washable surfaces and detects that there are no obstacles or users on the surface.

[0038] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further comprise a flat element surrounding a rotatable body, the flat element covering a rotating mechanism and a support structure. The flat element may be in the same plane as the cleanable surface of the rotatable body facing a first direction, the cleanable surface facing the first direction, and the flat elements may be adjacent to each other, i.e., without any gaps between them. By covering the rotating mechanism and support structure, the flat element may provide safety to the user and avoid interaction with elements that could cause injury to the user, such as motors or gears. The flat element may include a cleanable surface facing the first direction, which is not rotatable and is made of the same material as the cleanable surface on the rotatable body.

[0039] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a floor comprising a self-cleaning surface system as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0040] In a third aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a method for self-cleaning the surface of a system described in any of the above embodiments, comprising the steps of: rotating one or more rotatable bodies 180 degrees from facing a first direction to facing a second direction; activating a cleaning mechanism as soon as all of the rotatable bodies are facing the second direction; and cleaning the one or more cleanable surfaces by spraying a cleaning liquid toward one or more cleanable surfaces facing the second direction.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, each rotatable body of the self-cleaning surface system includes an additional cleanable surface opposite to the corresponding cleanable surface, the additional cleanable surface facing a second direction when the corresponding cleanable surface faces a first direction, and vice versa, and a cleaning fluid ejection mechanism, when activated, ejects cleaning fluid toward one of the cleanable surfaces of one or more rotatable bodies facing the second direction. The method has the advantage that the positions of the corresponding cleanable surface and the additional surface, which may also be called the first and second cleanable surfaces, are interchangeable. Cleaning of the first cleanable surface can be performed while making the second cleanable surface available for use.

[0042] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system may further include a plurality of rotatable bodies, and the rotating mechanism further includes one or more motors configured to rotate the rotatable bodies, each rotatable body being in a corresponding odd or even position in a positional sequence, and each even position being adjacent to a corresponding odd position in the sequence, and in a method for self-cleaning the surface of the system, the step of rotating one or more rotatable bodies 180 degrees from a state facing a first direction to a state facing a second direction may be performed first over the rotatable bodies in the corresponding odd positions, and then over the profiles in the corresponding even positions, or vice versa. If the rotatable bodies in the odd positions rotate at different times than the rotatable bodies in the even positions, collisions can be avoided.

[0043] In one embodiment, the cleaning mechanism of the self-cleaning surface system may include one or more wipers configured to clean a cleanable surface facing a second direction, preferably each wiper being rotatable by 90 degrees, and the step of cleaning the one or more cleanable surfaces by spraying a cleaning liquid toward the one or more cleanable surfaces facing the second direction may precede or follow the step of rotating the wipers across the cleanable surfaces facing the second direction.

[0044] In one embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system further includes a sensor configured to detect at least one element on one or more cleanable surfaces facing a first direction, and the method may comprise a first step of detecting at least one element on a surface on the first side.

[0045] In one embodiment, the system may automatically initiate the steps of the method. The steps of the method may be initiated automatically after compliance with conditions based on certain parameters detected by sensors, such as when the system detects that there are no obstacles or users on the cleanable surface. In other embodiments, the user of the self-cleaning surface system may manually initiate the steps of the method.

[0046] Further understanding of the properties and advantages of specific embodiments can be achieved by reference to the remainder of this specification and the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to refer to similar components. Hereinafter, several preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0047] [Figure 1] This is a top view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a top view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 3A] This is a partial top view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 3B]This is a side view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 4A] This is a partial top view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 4B] This is a side view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a rear view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 6A] This is a top view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 6B] This is a perspective view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 7A] This is a side view of a rotatable body of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 7B] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 8A] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8B] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8C] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8D] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8E] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8F] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8G]This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8H] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 8I] This is a side view of eight rotatable bodies of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention, showing the order of rotation of the rotatable bodies. [Figure 9A] This is a side view of a rotatable body having a different geometric shape in a different embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 9B] This is a side view of a rotatable body having a different geometric shape in a different embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 9C] This is a side view of a rotatable body having a different geometric shape in a different embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 9D] This is a side view of a rotatable body having a different geometric shape in a different embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. [Figure 10A] This is a top view of a different embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system comprising one or more rotatable bodies according to the present invention. [Figure 10B] This is a top view of a different embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system comprising one or more rotatable bodies according to the present invention. [Figure 10C] This is a top view of a different embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system comprising one or more rotatable bodies according to the present invention. [Figure 10D] This is a top view of a different embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system comprising one or more rotatable bodies according to the present invention. [Figure 10E] This is a top view of a different embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system comprising one or more rotatable bodies according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0048] Herein, the present invention will be described by reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments. A reference is made to Figure 2, which shows a top view of one embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the self-cleaning surface system comprises eight rotatable bodies 19, a support structure 3 corresponding to a frame in this case and supporting the rotatable bodies 19, wherein the rotatable bodies 19 are configured to rotate about a rotation axis corresponding to the support structure 3, the rotatable bodies 19 have corresponding cleanable surfaces 1, the corresponding cleanable surfaces 1 are parallel to the rotation axis, and are configured to rotate together with the corresponding rotatable bodies 19 from a state facing a first direction to a state facing a second direction, and vice versa, where the first direction is opposite to the second direction; a rotation mechanism configured to rotate one or more rotatable bodies 19; a cleaning mechanism including a cleaning liquid ejection mechanism as shown in Figures 3 and 5; and an activation mechanism configured to activate the liquid ejection mechanism when each cleanable surface 1 faces a second direction, wherein when the one or more cleanable surfaces 1 face a second direction, the activated cleaning liquid ejection mechanism is arranged to eject cleaning liquid toward the one or more cleanable surfaces 1. In this embodiment, the washable surface 1 faces a first direction. With respect to the support structure 3, it is considered that the support structure 3 may differ from the frame. In this embodiment, the rotation mechanism includes two motors 4 configured to rotate the rotatable bodies 19, each rotatable body 19 being in a corresponding odd (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) or even (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) position in the order of positions, where each even position (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) is adjacent to a corresponding odd position (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) in the order. However, it is considered that only one motor 4 may be configured to rotate the rotatable bodies 19. Similarly, it is considered that three or more motors 4 may be used to rotate the rotatable bodies 19. The even and odd positions of the rotatable bodies are assigned by counting from the first rotatable body 19 in the order to the last rotatable body. It is understood that this assignment may be done in the opposite direction.In this embodiment, two motors 4 are configured to rotate the rotatable bodies 19 at the corresponding odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g), and another motor is configured to rotate the rotatable bodies at the corresponding even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h). Based on this, in this embodiment there are four even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) and four odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g). Furthermore, the two motors are configured to first rotate all the rotatable bodies at the corresponding odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g), and then rotate all the rotatable bodies at the corresponding even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h), or vice versa.

[0049] Herein, a reference is made to Figure 1, which shows a top view of an embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system comprising eight rotatable bodies 19. In this embodiment, eight rotatable bodies 19 are shown, each containing a cleanable surface 1. The system comprises a flat element 2 surrounding the rotatable bodies 19, and since the flat element 2 covers the rotation mechanism and support structure 3, the structural support 3, rotation mechanism, and cleaning mechanism are not shown in Figure 1. The present invention comprises eight rotatable bodies 19 containing eight cleanable surfaces 1 that can rotate 360 ​​degrees, and four surfaces on a flat element 2 that cannot rotate. The cleanable surfaces can rotate 360 ​​degrees between a position facing a first direction and a position facing a second direction, which can be achieved by a 180-degree rotation. Rotatable bodies, which may be called profiles, may include flat cleanable bodies or cleanable surfaces 1. In other words, a profile may have a surface 1 that can be cleaned by the cleaning mechanism of the system. Herein, a reference is made to Figure 7, which shows an embodiment of a profile 19 and an embodiment comprising eight identical adjacent profiles. In this embodiment, each rotatable body 19 includes an additional washable surface 20 on the opposite side of the corresponding washable surface 1, the additional washable surface 20 being configured to face a second direction when the corresponding washable surface 1 faces a first direction, and vice versa. Thus, in one embodiment of a self-cleaning surface system comprising these profiles 19, a cleaning liquid ejection mechanism, when activated, is configured to eject cleaning liquid toward one of the washable surfaces (1 or 20) of one or more rotatable bodies facing a second direction. Any surface is on the profile 19. That is, each profile 19 has one surface 1 at the top and a surface 20 at the bottom. These surfaces may be made of any kind of material. For example, on a floor, they may be granite, tile, timber, etc. Thus, all eight profiles in Figure 7B have one surface 1 at the top and one surface 20 at the bottom. The eight surfaces can be flipped 180 degrees during operation, following a specific rotational sequence.A reference is now made to Figure 8, which shows side views of eight profiles 19 and the sequence of rotations that follow during operation in one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment comprises a plurality of rotatable bodies 19 arranged adjacent to each other, wherein along the geometric cross-section of each rotatable body 19, the geometric cross-section is incident on and preferably perpendicular to the washable surface 1, and the rotatable body 19 includes recesses configured such that, as the rotatable body 19 rotates, the washable surface 1 of each rotatable body 19 can at least partially fit into or pass through the recesses of adjacent rotatable bodies 19. Figure 8 is divided into eight rows: Figure 8A, Figure 8B, Figure 8C, Figure 8D, Figure 8E, Figure 8F, Figure 8G, Figure 8H, and Figure 8I. In this embodiment, the motion of profile 19 is achieved by first rotating profile 19 at even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h), and then rotating profile 19 at odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g), although it is also considered that the rotation may be performed in the reverse direction. Figure 8A shows eight profiles 19 that are not moving at all. Figures 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E show profile 19 at even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) that are flipped 180 degrees, while profile 19 at odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) remain stationary. Figures 8F, 8G, 8H, and 8I show profile 19 at odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) that are flipped 180 degrees, while profile 19 at even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) remain stationary. Thus, Figure 8I shows all the surfaces that have been flipped 180 degrees. This constitutes one cycle. The top surface 1 is flipped 180 degrees according to this rotation order, but the opposite rotation order, in which the odd-numbered profiles 19 rotate first, is also considered. When the top surface 1 is dirty, the automated system alternately flips the odd-numbered and even-numbered surfaces 180 degrees until all eight surfaces 1 have been flipped. Thus, the dirty surfaces 1 are now on the bottom side, and the clean surfaces 20 are coming from the bottom to the top. When the eight dirty surfaces 1 are on the bottom side, i.e., facing the second direction, the cleaning mechanism begins cleaning them and keeps them waiting until the next 180-degree rotation. This rotation order can be followed so that the surfaces do not collide with each other.It is also considered that the rotation of all profiles 19 is achieved by following one-to-one rotations, such as one surface rotating while the immediately adjacent surface remains stationary. In the embodiment of Figure 8, odd-numbered surfaces rotate together, and even-numbered surfaces rotate together. The present invention has eight surfaces that can be flipped over, as it is designed to cover a specific area of ​​square centimeters with fixed length, width, and height. The system can also operate properly with two or more surfaces.

[0050] The flat element 2 in Figure 1, and therefore its surface, cannot be flipped over. Below these four flat elements are the motor 4 and the rotation mechanism of the system. As shown in the embodiment of Figure 5, the present invention may comprise a mechanism comprising the motor 4, gears (8, 9), axles (7, 11), and other components that provide motion, which, in the order shown previously, rotate the eight dirty washable surfaces 1 on top by 180 degrees to bring the eight clean washable surfaces 20 on top. In the embodiment of Figure 6, the cleaning spray mechanism of the system comprises two spray nozzles (18) configured to spray a cleaning liquid over the washable surfaces facing the second direction, preferably the cleaning liquid comprising a detergent and / or disinfectant. However, it is considered that the system may comprise one or more spray nozzles (18). In Figure 5, the system comprises two windshield-type wipers (15) configured to clean the washable surfaces facing the second direction, each wiper rotatable by 90 degrees. However, it is also conceivable that the system comprises one or more windshield-type wipers (15). The system may also comprise a wheel brush for cleaning the washable surface. The system comprises two motors 4 connected to the wipers by angle gears 5 and configured to rotate the wipers 15. As shown in Figure 2, the rotation of the wipers 15 can be performed independently. When the soiled surface has rotated 180 degrees, the cleaning mechanism cleans the soiled surface with water containing cleaning and disinfecting agents from the windshield-type wipers (15) or windshield wipers, as well as from the windshield wiper spray jet washer nozzles 18 shown in Figure 6, keeping them clean and ready until the next 180-degree rotation. Figure 2 shows a top view of the system with the flat element 2 removed from Figure 1. In this embodiment, the support structure 3 is a frame to which four motors 4 are mounted. The main frame also has eight profiles 19 that can be flipped 180 degrees with a surface on top.As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4, the rotating mechanism further includes gears (8, 9), which are configured to transmit motion from motor 4, including a motor shaft having gear 21, to a rotatable body 19. The gears also include a Geneva mechanism 6, also called a Geneva gear. The Geneva mechanism 6 may include a drive wheel 8 and a driven wheel 9. The main frame is fitted with two sets of gears (8, 9) that receive motion from motor 4 and rotate the profile 19 by 180 degrees. Finally, the main frame is fitted with two sets of angle gears 5 that receive motion from two other motors 4 and drive the windshield wipers 15. One of the motors is a motor that rotates the profile 19 at odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) by a set of gears (8, 9), axles (7, 11), and other mechanical parts. Other motors, driven by another set of gears (8, 9), axles (7, 11), and other mechanical components, rotate the profile 19 and the washable surface at even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h). Another motor 4 drives a set of angle transmission gears 5 that drive the first windshield wiper shown in Figure 5. Another motor drives a set of angle transmission gears 5 that drive the second windshield wiper 15. A worm drive mechanism may also be considered for the rotation of the rotatable body or windshield wipers. Figure 5 shows a system diagram from below. In other words, if the system in Figure 1 is inverted, the diagram in Figure 5 is obtained.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, a detailed view of a set of gears (8, 9) already shown in the top view of Figure 2 is provided. The system comprises a timing belt 14, at least one of which is coupled to the gears (8, 9) and configured to transmit motion from the motor 4 to the gears (8, 9). The system further comprises a belt tensioner 10 for applying tension to the timing belt 14 and a guide roll 12 for guiding the timing belt 14. The system further comprises one or more axles (7, 11), and a rotatable body 19 is attached to or connected to the support structure 3 using one or more axles (7, 11), preferably each rotatable body 19 is attached to two of the axles (7, 11) and is rotatable. The rotation mechanism of the system further includes bearings, and the axles (7, 11) are attached to or connected to the support structure 3 using bearings. It is also considered that the axles (7, 11) are attached to or connected to the support structure 3 using bushings or self-lubricating bushings. The bushings or bearings may be inside the socket or holder 13. Figure 3 has two different diagrams to allow for a better understanding of the positions of all the gears (8, 9), axles (7, 11), timing belt 14, and components of the system. Figure 3A is a partial top view of the self-cleaning surface system, and Figure 3B is a side view. Figure 3A shows the frame to which all the mechanical components are mounted. However, the mechanical components may also be mounted to other types of supports. Figure 7A shows the geometric shape of the profile 19. The first cleanable surface 1 and the second cleanable surface 20 are located on the top and bottom of the profile 19. The axles shown in Figure 3 are for mounting the Geneva mechanism 6 for the rotation of the profile 19. These axles are attached to the frame by bearings. The motion from the motor gears is transferred to the gears of axle 11 by the timing belt 14. The gears (8, 9) are also part of the Geneva mechanism 6. When the gears are rotated by the belt 14, they also drive the Geneva gear 6, which rotates the axle 11 of the profile 19. A belt tensioner 10 is used to tension the timing belt 14.Some of the gears (8, 9) rotate axles mounted on the frame. Each profile 19 is fitted with one axle 11 having gears and one axle 7 that does not have either gears (8, 9) or the Geneva mechanism 6. Thus, there is axle 7 which is simply a support axle. There is a guide roll 12 for guiding the timing belt 14. Figure 3B shows an angle transmission gear 5 that receives motion from the motor 4, and the angle gear 5 drives the windshield wiper shaft for rotating the windshield wiper 15.

[0052] Figure 5 is a bottom view of one embodiment of the self-cleaning surface system. It shows the frame, the washable surface 20 facing the second direction, and the windshield wiper 15 of the cleaning mechanism of the present invention. Figure 6 is divided into Figures 6A and 6B and shows two different views of the system case 16. Figure 6A shows a top view of the system case 16 for the system shown in Figure 1. That is, this is one embodiment of the case 16 into which the system fits. In this embodiment, the case includes a floor sink 17, which is used for draining the cleaning liquid of the system. The main body of the case 16 is shown, and the floor sink 17 and the spray jet washer nozzle 18 are shown. Figure 6B is an upper left side perspective view to better understand the shape of the case 16 into which the system fits. The case 16 can be fitted to the same height as the floor so that the eight inverted surfaces 1 are at the same height as the rest of the floor. For example, if you want a mobile system such as the floor of a mobile public toilet for an event, concert, etc., then the case 16 with the system can be made higher than the main floor. It will be one step higher. Figure 7 shows a side view of a geometric profile 19 that can be used. Figure 7 is divided into Figure 7A and Figure 7B. Figure 7A shows a side view of one of eight profiles 19 rotated 180 degrees. The profile 19 has two surfaces (1, 20). Since Figure 7 has two different diagrams, you can better understand what the side of the profile 19 with two washable surfaces on the top and bottom looks like. Those surfaces can be made of any material. It may be ceramic, granite, glass, plexiglass, stone, metal, plastic, wood, synthetic material, or a combination thereof, or any material whose shape can be defined according to the required dimensions. The washable surfaces can also be made of hydrophobic material. Figure 7B is a side view of eight profiles 19. Figure 8 shows side views of the eight profiles 19 and the sequence of rotations they follow during operation. Figure 8 is divided into eight rows: Figure 8A, Figure 8B, Figure 8C, Figure 8D, Figure 8E, Figure 8F, Figure 8G, Figure 8H, and Figure 8I. Figure 8A shows the eight profiles 19 in complete stillness.Figures 8B, 8C, 8D, and 8E show the profiles 19 at even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) that are flipped 180 degrees, while the profiles 19 at odd positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) remain unchanged. Figures 8F, 8G, 8H, and 8I show the profiles 19 at odd positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) that are flipped 180 degrees, while the profiles 19 at even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) remain unchanged. Thus, Figure 8I shows all surfaces that have been flipped 180 degrees. This constitutes one cycle. The top surface 1 can be flipped 180 degrees according to this rotation order, but other rotation orders are considered. When the top surface 1 is dirty, the system flips the odd and even surfaces 180 degrees until all eight surfaces have been flipped. Thus, the dirty surface 1 is currently at the bottom, and the clean surface 20 from the bottom is at the top. When the eight dirty surfaces of this embodiment are at the 180-degree position at the bottom, the cleaning mechanism begins cleaning them and keeps them waiting until the next 180-degree rotation. The cleaning mechanism in Figure 2 includes two motors 4 and two sets of angle transmission gears 5. The embodiment also includes two windshield-type wipers (15) and a windshield wiper spray jet washer nozzle 18 in Figure 6, as shown in Figures 3B and 4B. The spray jet washer nozzle 18 uses water with a cleaning agent and disinfectant to clean the dirty surfaces. The movement of the windshield wipers 15 occurs alternately. When the wiper moves from 0 degrees to 90 degrees and returns to 0 degrees, the wiper remains stationary at precisely the same time. When the first wiper starts operating, the spray jet washer nozzle 18 shown in Figure 6 begins spraying water mixed with cleaning agent onto the dirty surface for a programmed time. Then, the two windshield wipers 15 clean the surface, and the second wiper moves from 0 to 90 degrees and back to 0 degrees, while the first wiper 15 remains stationary, and vice versa, until the operating software stops both. In all situations, only one wiper 15 is operating, while the other remains stationary. After this stage, the bottom surface is cleaned and waits for the next 180-degree rotation.Figure 9 shows several variations of different geometric profile profiles 19 that can be used in the system without facing any collision or rotation problems. Figure 9 is divided into Figures 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D. The four figures show the same top surface and the same bottom surface. The difference lies in the geometric shape of the profile 19. This geometry allows the profile 19 to be in close enough proximity to each other to be flipped 180 degrees one by one without any collision problems. Figure 10 is divided into Figures 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E. The five figures show several variations that can be used. Figure 10A shows a top view of an automatic self-cleaning surface system with one surface of profile 19 that can be rotated 180 degrees. There are four flat elements 2 with one surface that can be flipped and surfaces that cannot be rotated. Figure 10B shows a top view of an automatic self-cleaning surface system with two surfaces that can be rotated 180 degrees. Figure 10C shows a top view of an automatic self-cleaning surface system having three surfaces that can rotate 180 degrees. Figure 10D shows a top view of an automatic self-cleaning surface system having three surfaces that can rotate 180 degrees. Figure 10E shows a top view of an automatic self-cleaning surface system having two surfaces that can rotate 180 degrees. An automatic self-cleaning surface system may have at least one surface that can rotate 180 degrees.

[0053] One embodiment of the present invention refers to an automated self-cleaning surface system capable of cleaning its own main surface, which is divided into eight smaller surfaces 1 as shown in Figure 1. The shape of these surfaces is rectangular, and they rest on a special geometric profile 19. The upper side of the profile 19 is the cleanable surface 1, and the lower side of the profile 19 is another cleanable surface 20. Thus, as shown in Figure 2, all eight profiles 19 are adjacent to each other and mounted on a main frame. The geometry of the profiles 19 can be one of the variations shown in Figures 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D, for this geometry allows the surfaces to be close enough to each other to rotate without issue. Other geometric shapes similar to them can also be used. The vertical dimensions of the profiles 19 should be small enough to allow 180-degree rotation without collision with adjacent profiles 19. In this way, even and odd profiles 19 can rotate 360 ​​degrees on their axes without colliding with each other. In other words, the geometric shape of the profiles 19 and the specific rotation sequence followed by the system are important aspects that enable those profiles 19 and their surfaces to rotate and flip 180 degrees during operation. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the activation mechanism may include a controller configured to control the rotation and cleaning mechanism of the profiles 19. The system also includes a sprayer (not shown) configured to adjust the ejection of liquid, preferably including one or more motorized valves. In the embodiment of Figure 1, when the eight upper surfaces are dirty, a sensor that recognizes that there are no obstructions on the top of the surfaces that could cause malfunction of the system's operation may signal to initiate an automatic self-cleaning procedure. Not shown, the system may include one or more sensors configured to activate the cleaning of the washable surfaces or the rotation of the rotatable body. The sensors may be optical sensors configured to detect any light fluctuations originating from at least one element or user above the washable surface. In other embodiments, the sensors may be weight sensors configured to sense at least one element or user above the washable surface.In other embodiments, it is considered that the sensor may also include a motion camera configured to sense at least one element or user above the washable surface. The system automatically begins flipping the even-numbered surfaces 180 degrees. However, in other embodiments, the system may be started manually. The system may begin flipping either the odd-numbered or even-numbered surfaces or positions. If the system starts with the even-numbered surfaces (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h), this is done by the rotation of the first motor 4 as shown in Figure 2. Gear 21 gives motion to the timing belt 14, which moves the Geneva mechanism 6 by gears (8, 9) until 180 degrees are completed. After that, the system automatically or manually by the user begins flipping the odd-numbered surfaces (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) 180 degrees. In Figure 2, this can be done by the rotation of another set of gears (6, 8) and the second motor 4 as shown in Figure 2. The gears (6, 8) impart motion to the timing belt 14, as shown in Figure 3, and the belt 14 moves the Geneva mechanism 6 by the gears (8, 9) and the Geneva 6 until 180 degrees are completed. The Geneva mechanism 6 can lock the profiles 19 at the 0 and 180-degree positions without the need for a locking system for the profiles 19. This can be done with ordinary gears (8, 9) without the Geneva mechanism 6, but the Geneva gears 6 provide a locking system so that the profiles 19 remain at the 0 and 180-degree positions. Whether the odd-numbered surfaces (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) start rotating first and then the even-numbered surfaces (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h), or vice versa, is not important as the system has the same operation. That is, it can be adjusted by programming the operation software. Thus, when the dirty surfaces are on the bottom side, the cleaning mechanism begins cleaning them. The windshield wiper spray jet washer nozzle 18 in Figure 6 begins spraying a liquid containing cleaning and disinfecting agents onto the dirty surface. Simultaneously, the motor 4 and a pair of angle transmission gears 5 shown in Figure 2 give motion to the windshield wipers 15, moving them from 0 degrees to 90 degrees and then back to 0 degrees. At the same time, the other windshield wipers 15 remain stationary.Next, the second motor 4 and a pair of angle transmission gears 5 give motion to the windshield wiper 15, moving it from 0 degrees to 90 degrees and then back to 0 degrees. Precisely at the same time, the other windshield wiper 15 remains stationary. After a programmed time of alternating operation of the liquid spray and cleaning agent and the parallel windshield wiper 15, the surface is clean. The system stops operating and remains in standby mode until the cleaned surface has rotated 180 degrees from bottom to top.

[0054] While preferred materials for the elements have been described, the present invention is not limited to these materials. All kinds of materials may comprise some or all elements of the devices in various embodiments of the present invention. Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and / or achieve similar results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are considered therein, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. Multiple rotatable bodies (19), A support structure (3) that supports the plurality of rotatable bodies (19), wherein each rotatable body (19) is configured to rotate about a rotation axis corresponding to the support structure (3), each rotatable body (19) has a corresponding washable surface (1), the corresponding washable surface (1) is parallel to the corresponding rotation axis, and is configured to rotate together with the corresponding rotatable body (19) from a state facing a first direction to a state facing a second direction, and from the state facing the second direction to a state facing the first direction, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction, and the support structure (3) A rotation mechanism configured to rotate the plurality of rotatable bodies, A cleaning mechanism including a cleaning liquid ejection mechanism, An activation mechanism configured to activate the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism when each washable surface (1) faces the second direction, wherein when activated, the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism is arranged to eject cleaning liquid toward each washable surface (1) when each washable surface (1) faces the second direction. A self-cleaning surface system comprising, A self-cleaning surface system in which the plurality of rotatable bodies (19) are arranged adjacent to one another, and along a geometric cross-section of each rotatable body (19) perpendicular to the corresponding axis of rotation, the geometric cross-section is incident on and perpendicular to the corresponding cleanable surface (1), and each rotatable body (19) includes a recess, which is configured to allow the corresponding cleanable surface (1) of each rotatable body (19) to at least partially fit into the recess of an adjacent rotatable body or to at least partially pass through the interior of the recess of an adjacent rotatable body as each rotatable body (19) rotates.

2. The self-cleaning surface system according to claim 1, wherein each rotatable body (19) includes an additional cleanable surface (20) opposite to the corresponding cleanable surface (1), the additional cleanable surface (20) being configured to face the second direction when the corresponding cleanable surface (1) faces the first direction, and to face the first direction when the corresponding cleanable surface (1) faces the second direction, and the cleaning liquid ejection mechanism, when activated, is configured to eject the cleaning liquid toward any of the cleanable surfaces (1) of the rotatable body (19) facing the second direction.

3. The self-cleaning surface system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation mechanism further includes one or more motors (4) configured to rotate the plurality of rotatable bodies (19), each rotatable body (19) is located in a corresponding odd position (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) or an even position (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) in a positional sequence, and each even position (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h) is adjacent to a corresponding odd position (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g) in the sequence.

4. The self-cleaning surface system according to claim 3, wherein the rotation mechanism includes two motors (4), one of which is configured to rotate the rotatable body (19) at the corresponding odd-numbered positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g), and the other motor is configured to rotate the rotatable body (19) at the corresponding even-numbered positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h).

5. The self-cleaning surface system according to claim 4, wherein the two motors (4) are configured to first rotate all of the rotatable bodies (19) located at the corresponding odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g), and then rotate all of the rotatable bodies (19) located at the corresponding even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h), or to first rotate all of the rotatable bodies (19) located at the corresponding even positions (1b, 1d, 1f, 1h), and then rotate all of the rotatable bodies (19) located at the corresponding odd positions (1a, 1c, 1e, 1g).

6. The self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the rotating mechanism further comprises one or more worm drive mechanisms, the one or more worm drive mechanisms configured to transmit motion from the motor to the plurality of rotatable bodies.

7. The self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the rotating mechanism further includes gears (8, 9, 21), the gears (8, 9, 21) being configured to transmit motion from the motor (4) to the plurality of rotatable bodies (19).

8. The self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cleaning mechanism further comprises one or more wipers (15) configured to clean the cleanable surface (1) facing the second direction.

9. The self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising one or more wheel brushes configured to clean the washable surface (1) facing the second direction.

10. The self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a case (16) into which the self-cleaning surface system is fitted.

11. The self-cleaning surface system according to claim 10, wherein the case (16) includes a floor sink (17).

12. The self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising one or more sensors configured to initiate cleaning of the cleanable surface (1) or the rotation of the rotatable body (19).

13. The self-cleaning surface system according to claim 12, further comprising a weight sensor configured to sense weight variations caused by at least one element or user on the upper part of the washable surface (1).

14. A floor comprising a self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method for self-cleaning the surface of a self-cleaning surface system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, A step of rotating the plurality of rotatable bodies (19) by 180 degrees from a state facing the first direction to a state facing the second direction, wherein as each rotatable body (19) rotates, the recess of each rotatable body (19) allows the corresponding washable surface (1) of each rotatable body (19) to at least partially fit into the recess of the adjacent rotatable body or to at least partially pass through the interior of the recess of the adjacent rotatable body. As soon as all of the plurality of rotatable bodies (19) face the second direction, the cleaning mechanism is activated. The steps include: spraying the cleaning liquid toward each washable surface (1) to clean each washable surface (1) facing the second direction; A method that includes this.

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