Guidance system for an ice scraper vehicle and ice scraper vehicle operating which such a system

Abstract

It refers to a guidance system for an ice scraper vehicle and to an ice scraper vehicle operating which such a system.

Description

[0001] GUIDANCE SYSTEM FOR AN ICE SCRAPER VEHICLE AND ICE SCRAPER

[0002] VEHICLE OPERATING WHICH SUCH A SYSTEM

[0003] Specification

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a guidance system for a mobile ice scraper vehicle and to a mobile ice scraper vehicle using such a system.

[0005] In particular, it is a guidance system for improving the usability of a mobile ice scraper vehicle used to clean and smooth the ice surface of a rink for winter sports activities, such as ice skating, hockey, and the like.

[0006] As is well known, the ice surfaces of rinks and sports halls for winter sports activities must be regularly maintained by creating an appropriate thickness of ice that is repeatedly cleaned and smoothed.

[0007] For this purpose, ice scraper vehicles driven by an operator are used, who must drive the vehicle over the entire surface to be worked.

[0008] The presence of an operator on the ice scraper vehicles according to the known technique is therefore required on a continuous basis.

[0009] A further problem with ice scrapers of the known type relates to the degree of precision of the processing: in fact, the operator may drive the vehicle over portions of the surface already processed or may unintentionally avoid passing over areas to be processed.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile ice scraper vehicle that solves these and other problems of known systems.

[0011] Another purpose of the invention is to provide a mobile ice scraper vehicle that is economical and practical in its use.

[0012] A further purpose of the invention is to provide a mobile ice scraper vehicle that allows smooth and homogeneous processing of the entire ice surface.

[0013] These and other purposes are all achieved, according to the invention, by a guidance system for a mobile ice scraper vehicle on a surface to be processed characterised by comprising a geolocalisation system of the mobile ice scraper vehicle with respect to the surface.

[0014] Thanks to the presence of the geolocalisation system, it is possible to know the position of the vehicle with respect to the surface to be worked on and consequently to move the vehicle autonomously without the presence of an operator.

[0015] Further features and advantages of the invention are set out in the appended claims.

[0016] Further features and details may be better understood from the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example, as well as from the accompanying drawing board wherein fig. 1 is a schematic view from above of a guidance system of a mobile ice scraper vehicle made according to the invention.

[0017] With reference to figure 1 , a guidance system of a mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 on a surface S delimited by an edge B is indicated by 10.

[0018] The guidance system 10 comprises a first satellite 14, a second satellite 16 and a third satellite 18, all arranged perimetrically to the surface S.

[0019] The guidance system 10 further comprises a first antenna 20 and a second antenna 22 mounted on the ice scraper vehicle 12.

[0020] The mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 comprise known devices such as an ice scraper apparatus and at least two steering wheels controlled by a steering wheel. In addition, the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 further comprising a control unit 24 capable of controlling the advancement and steering of the vehicle by means of a control mechanism.

[0021] The guidance system 10 allows the position and orientation of the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 on the surface S to be continuously identified.

[0022] Indeed, the position of the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 on the surface S is determined by measuring the distance of the first antenna 20 from the first satellite 14, the second satellite 16 and the third satellite 18 and by measuring the distance of the second antenna 22 from the first satellite 14, the second satellite 16 and the third satellite 18.

[0023] The orientation of the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 is determined by detecting the different position of the first antenna 20 with respect to the second antenna 22.

[0024] The guidance system 10 envisages that the measurements defined above are carried out continuously; in this way, it is possible to understand which path is taken by the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 itself.

[0025] In this way, thanks to such a configuration, i.e. continuous communication between the two antennas 20, 22 present on the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12, and the three satellites 14, 16, 18 arranged above or adjacent the surface S, the same mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 can know its position on the same surface S.

[0026] The control unit 24 is set to move the ice scraper vehicle 12 on the surface S according to a predetermined program, knowing in real time the position of the same ice scraper vehicle 12 on the surface S.

[0027] The control unit 24 is connected to the internet, so that it is possible to view the operating parameters of the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 and set the movement and work programme of the same mobile ice scraper vehicle 12.

[0028] In addition, the guidance system 10 comprises a control unit 26 connected via an appropriate communication system to the first satellite 14, the second satellite 16 and the third satellite 18. This control unit 26 performs the software update of the three satellites 1 , 16, 18.

[0029] By exploiting the communication between the three satellites 14, 16, 18 and the control unit 24, the control unit 26 can communicate with the same control unit 24.

[0030] This connection can be exploited to send information on the status of surface S. For example, in the event that doors along the edge B are open, such doors being provided with an opening detection system connected to the control unit 26, the control unit 26 itself via the satellites 14, 16, 18 informs the control unit 24 of the presence of such obstacles and the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 is made to move avoiding passage at such doors.

[0031] It is then the control unit 24 that controls the path of the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 depending on the position of the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 defined as described above.

[0032] The control unit 24 then guides the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 according to a predetermined path.

[0033] A person skilled in the art may envisage modifications or variations which are to be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] For example, the number of satellites on the edge of the track may be different from three, as previously described. Furthermore, the satellites may be arranged within the edge B superior to the surface S, so as not to come into contact with the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 in any case.

[0035] Similarly, the antennas on board the mobile ice scraper vehicle may also be in a number other than two, as previously described.

[0036] Furthermore, the guidance system 10 may comprise a different geolocation system than the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12, for example a GPS system. In other words, the control unit is able to know the position of the mobile ice scraper vehicle within the surface S and guide its movement according to the desired and set path. The geolocation system of the mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 may also be configured to continuously measure the distance of the same mobile ice scraper vehicle 12 from one or more defined points on the surface S or in any case adjacent to the same surface S. An example of such a geolocation system can be obtained by using LIDAR cameras that allow the distance between a camera and a point photographed by the same camera to be measured using a LASER beam.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Guidance system (10) for a mobile ice scraper vehicle (12) on a surface S to be processed, comprising a geolocalisation system of the ice scraper vehicle (12) with respect to the surface S, the ice scraper vehicle (12) comprising a control unit (24) for controlling the movement of the ice scraper vehicle (12) on the surface S according to the position of the ice scraper vehicle (12) measured by the geolocalisation system; characterized by the fact that the geolocation system of the ice scraper vehicle (12) comprises means for detecting a distance between the ice scraper vehicle (12) and at least three points on the surface S or adjacent to the surface S; and that the geolocation system of the ice scraping vehicle (12) comprises:- a first satellite (14) arranged perimetrically or superiorly to the surface S;- a first antenna (20) mounted on the ice scraping vehicle (12).

2. Guidance system (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the geolocation system of the ice scraper vehicle (12) comprises a second antenna (22) mounted on the ice scraping vehicle (12).

3. Guidance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a control unit (26) connected to the control unit (24) disposed on the ice scraper vehicle (12) and / or to at least one of the following: first satellite (14), second satellite (16) and third satellite (18) is included.

4. Guidance system (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein a predetermined path is loaded into the control unit (26) and / or the control unit (24).

5. Guidance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, whereinthe control unit (24) is adapted to control the steering and the advancement of the ice scraping vehicle (12).

6. Ice scraper vehicle (12) controlled by means of a guidance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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