Stationary leaf collection machine and control method therefor

Abstract

A stationary leaf collection machine capable of easily cleaning up fallen leaves in the vicinity of roads is provided. The stationary leaf collection machine comprises: 1) a frame that can be attached / detached to / from a vehicle; 2) a housing, which is mounted on the frame, has a leaf suction port on the side surface thereof, has a leaf discharge port on the lower surface thereof, and has an open upper surface; 3) a head assembly, which includes a filter and a suction fan and is coupled to the upper portion of the housing; 4) a shredding unit provided at the lower surface of the housing so as to shred fallen leaves discharged through the leaf discharge port; 5) a plate, which has one side hinge-coupled to the inner wall surface of the housing, and is lifted by means of the suction force of a suction fan so as to prevent the fallen leaves suctioned through the leaf suction port from moving to the suction fan; 6) a stopper unit provided inside the housing so as to restrict the rotational angle of the plate; 7) a door having the surface provided in a mesh shape, and opening / closing the leaf suction port; 8) a distance sensor for sensing the position of the plate; and 9) a control part for controlling the door.

Description

Standing leaf collection device and its control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a leaf collection device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stationary device.

[0002] Typically, roadside trees are installed for aesthetic purposes and public health reasons. Consequently, fallen leaves accumulate on the shoulder adjacent to the trees. Traditionally, the most common methods for collecting fallen leaves were sweeping them with a broom and gathering them in one spot, or carrying a blower on one's body to gather the leaves in one place. However, these methods have the disadvantage of requiring a significant amount of labor.

[0003] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2011-0082963 discloses an example of a leaf sweeper. However, the device disclosed in the patent suffers from the inconvenience of having to transport it to the cleaning area by vehicle and then dismount it. Furthermore, if the air valve located within the circular body does not properly open before sucking in the fallen leaves, the leaves may accumulate around the filter, reducing the blower's suction power.

[0004] * Prior art literature

[0005] (Patent Document 1) KR 10-2011-0082963 A (Published on July 20, 2011)

[0006] The aim is to provide a stationary device that can easily clean fallen leaves around the road.

[0007] A stationary device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a vehicle and effectively removes fallen leaves around a road. The stationary device includes: 1) a frame that can be detached from the vehicle; 2) a housing that is mounted on the frame and has a leaf suction inlet formed on a side thereof, a leaf discharge inlet formed on a lower surface thereof, and an open top; 3) a head assembly that includes a filter and a suction fan and is coupled to an upper portion of the housing; 4) a crushing unit that is provided on the lower surface of the housing and crushes fallen leaves discharged through the leaf discharge inlet; 5) a plate that is hingedly coupled to an inner wall surface of the housing at one end and rises due to the suction force of the suction fan to block fallen leaves sucked into the leaf suction inlet from moving to the suction fan; 6) a stopper unit that is provided inside the housing and limits a rotation angle of the plate; 7) a door that has a mesh-shaped surface and opens and closes the leaf suction inlet; 8) a distance sensor that senses the position of the plate; and 9) a control unit that controls the door.

[0008] The control unit can control the door to close the leaf suction port when the other side height of the plate is less than the set height, and can control the door to open the leaf suction port when the other side height of the plate is greater than the set height.

[0009] The stationary device may include 1) a slope provided inside the housing to guide fallen leaves sucked in by the leaf suction inlet to an outlet, 2) a weight sensor for measuring the weight of fallen leaves deposited on the slope, and 3) a hot air blower provided inside the housing to blow hot air in the direction of the slope. At this time, the control unit may control the strength of the hot air blower according to the measurement value of the weight sensor.

[0010] A path may be formed in the slope to provide a path for the liquid to flow so that the liquid inside the housing is discharged to the outside of the housing.

[0011] The frame may be provided with a bag fixing member.

[0012] The stationary device according to the embodiment is detachable from a vehicle, and using the stationary device, fallen leaves around the road can be easily cleaned. In particular, fallen leaves can be collected and shredded simultaneously.

[0013] The stand-alone device according to the embodiment has excellent structural maintainability.

[0014] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stand-alone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a stand-alone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 3 is a usage state diagram of a stand-alone device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 is an example of a modified bracket.

[0018] Figure 5 is an operation flow chart of the moisture removal mode.

[0019] Figure 6 is a flowchart of the operation in normal mode.

[0020] * Explanation of symbols

[0021] 100. Stand-alone leaf collection device

[0022] 110. Frame

[0023] 111. Bracket

[0024] 112. Bag fixing part

[0025] 113. Fixed ring

[0026] 120. Housing

[0027] 121. Leaf suction

[0028] 122. Leaf discharge outlet

[0029] 123. Slope

[0030] 123a. Euro

[0031] 124. Cover

[0032] 130. Head assembly

[0033] 131. Filter

[0034] 132. Suction fan

[0035] 140. Crushing unit

[0036] 150. Plate

[0037] 151. Opening

[0038] 155. Stopper unit

[0039] 160. Door

[0040] 170. Distance sensor

[0041] 180. Weight sensor

[0042] 190. Control unit

[0043] 210. Heater

[0044] 220. Suction pipe

[0045] 230. Suction pipe holder

[0046] 240. Battery

[0047] 250. Bag

[0048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The word "comprising," as used herein, specifies a particular feature, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of other particular features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups.

[0049] Although not defined otherwise, all terms, including technical and scientific terms, used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are additionally interpreted to have meanings consistent with the relevant technical literature and the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as ideal or overly formal unless otherwise defined. As an example, the term "applied" as described below is interpreted to include both a state of being appropriately used and a state prior to being appropriately used.

[0050] In this specification, expressions described in the singular may be interpreted as singular or plural, unless explicit expressions such as “one” or “single” are used.

[0051] In this specification, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first" and "second," may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, a first component could be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component could also be referred to as a "first component."

[0052] In the flowcharts described with reference to the drawings in this specification, the order of operations may be changed, several operations may be merged, some operations may be split, and certain operations may not be performed.

[0053] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0054] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stationary device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the stationary device. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stationary device (100) (hereinafter referred to as “device (100)”) includes a frame (110), a housing (120), a head assembly (130), a crushing unit (140), a plate (150), a stopper unit (155), a door (160), a distance sensor (170), and a control unit (190). In addition, the device (100) may further include a slope (123), a weight sensor (180), and a hot air blower (210).

[0055] The frame (110) may include a floor on which the housing (120) and various parts are mounted, and a side wall formed vertically from one edge of the floor. The frame (110) may be provided in the form of a shelf attached to a wall, etc. The internal space of the frame (110) may be divided into a portion on which the housing (120) is mounted and a portion on which other parts are stored. The frame (110) includes at least one bracket (111) provided on the side wall. The bracket (111) may be fixedly connected to the vehicle using a mechanical element such as a bolt. In addition, a suction pipe holder (230) for mounting a suction pipe (220) may be provided on the frame (110).

[0056] The housing (120) is mounted on one side of the bottom of the frame (110). The housing (120) may be provided in a cylindrical shape. The upper surface of the housing (120) is open. A leaf suction port (121) is formed on a side surface of the housing (120), and a leaf discharge port (122) is formed on a lower surface of the housing (120). A suction pipe (220) for sucking up fallen leaves is coupled to the housing (120). The suction pipe (220) is coupled to the outside of the housing (120) and communicates with the leaf suction port (121). The suction pipe (220) may be provided in the form of a corrugated pipe and has a predetermined length. A cover (124) may be coupled to the inside of the housing (120). The cover (124) guides fallen leaves that are sucked into the suction pipe (220) and pass through the leaf suction port (121) toward the leaf discharge port (122). The cover (124) may be provided in a curved or curved shape.

[0057] The head assembly (130) is coupled to the upper portion of the housing (120) and closes the open upper surface of the housing (120). The head assembly (130) includes a filter (131) and a suction fan (132). The filter (131) is located at the lower portion of the suction fan (132). The filter (131) may be provided to be replaceable. The filter (131) prevents large foreign substances from being sucked into the suction fan (132) and captures dust. The suction fan (132) sucks in air. When the suction fan (132) is operated, fallen leaves are sucked into the leaf suction port (121).

[0058] A crushing unit (140) is provided at the lower portion of the housing (120). The crushing unit (140) may include two blade assemblies that are arranged in parallel and rotate in opposite directions. The crushing unit (140) crushes fallen leaves discharged through the fallen leaves discharge outlet (122).

[0059] A plate (150) is provided inside the housing (120). The plate (150) may be positioned at a midpoint in the height direction of the housing (120). It is preferable that the plate (150) be positioned above the leaf suction port (121). One side of the plate (150) is hingedly connected to the inner wall of the housing (120). An opening (151) larger than the area of ​​the cover (124) is formed on the other side of the plate (150). It is preferable that the plate (150) is provided with a lightweight material. The plate (150) divides the inner space of the housing (120) into upper and lower parts, and rises by the suction force of the suction fan (132) to block fallen leaves sucked into the leaf suction port (121) from moving to the suction fan (132). At this time, the leaf suction of the leaf suction port (121) is maintained due to the opening (151) being larger than the area of ​​the cover (124). In addition, the plate (150) blocks the suction force from directly acting on the leaf discharge port (122). In addition, the plate (150) additionally performs the function of pushing the leaf to the leaf discharge port (122) when the operation of the suction fan (132) stops.

[0060] A stopper unit (155) is provided inside the housing (120). The stopper unit (155) may include two rods. The two rods are arranged at a predetermined distance apart from each other inside the housing (120). The rod positioned on the upper side limits the maximum upward position of the plate (150), and the rod positioned on the lower side limits the maximum downward position of the plate (150). That is, the stopper unit (155) limits the upward / downward rotation angle of the plate (150).

[0061] The door (160) is coupled to a power source such as a motor, and opens and closes the leaf suction port (121) according to a control signal. The surface of the door (160) is provided in a mesh shape to allow air to pass through. As shown in the drawing, the door (160) may be positioned at the outlet of the cover (124) to indirectly open and close the leaf suction port (121). The operating structure of the door (160) is not limited to a specific structure, and as one example, one side may be hinged to the inner wall of the housing (120) and may operate in a structure that rotates up and down.

[0062] A distance sensor (170) is provided inside the housing (120) to sense the position of the plate (150). The distance sensor (170) measures the distance between the inner wall surface of the housing (120) and the other side (= side that is not hinged) of the plate (150). A plurality of distance sensors (170) may be provided. In addition, the distance sensors (170) may be arranged in a form inclined toward the plate (150).

[0063] The control unit (190) controls the operation of the door (160) based on the measurement value of the distance sensor (170). If the ON / OFF of the suction fan (132) is repeated, or if fallen leaves remain inside the housing (120) and the plate (150) is not sufficiently raised, fallen leaves may stick to the area around the filter (131), causing the suction power of the suction fan (132) to rapidly decrease. Accordingly, when the height of the other side of the plate (150) is less than the set height, the control unit (190) operates the door (160) to close the fallen leaves suction port (121) so that fallen leaves do not enter the interior of the housing (120). Conversely, when the height of the other side of the plate (150) is greater than the set height, the door (160) is operated to open the fallen leaves suction port (121) so that fallen leaves enter the interior of the housing (120).

[0064] A slope (123) is provided inside the housing (120) and guides fallen leaves sucked into the fallen leaves suction port (121) to the fallen leaves discharge port (122). The slope (123) may be provided in a concave shape. A flow path (123a) that provides a path for liquid movement may be formed in the slope (123). The flow path (123a) allows the liquid inside the housing (120) to be discharged to the outside. For example, after rain, fallen leaves may contain a large amount of moisture. At this time, a certain amount of moisture from the fallen leaves is discharged to the outside of the housing (120) through the flow path (123a). The flow path (123a) may be located below the slope (123). In particular, the flow path (123a) may be provided at a position lower than the hot air blower (210). In this case, the possibility that the wind from the hot air blower (210) will affect the discharge of the liquid is significantly reduced. A net (123b) is provided at the entrance of the euro (123a) to block the inflow of fallen leaves.

[0065] A weight sensor (180) is provided on the slope (123). Wet fallen leaves cannot slide smoothly on the slope (123) and may be deposited on the surface of the slope (123). The weight sensor (180) measures the weight of the fallen leaves deposited on the slope (123).

[0066] A hot air blower (210) is provided inside the housing (120) and blows hot air in the direction of the slope (123). The hot air blower (210) dries fallen leaves accumulated on the slope (123). It also dries the inside of the housing (120). Meanwhile, a control unit (190) may be provided to control the strength of the hot air blower (210) according to the measurement value of the weight sensor (180).

[0067] A bag fixing member (112) may be provided on the frame (110). The bag fixing member (112) is positioned at the lower portion of the housing (120). A bag (250) (or a bag) is fixed to the bag fixing member (112). In addition, an extra bag (250) may be stored in a folded state on the frame (110). In addition, a battery (240) that provides electric energy to the head assembly (130) may be mounted on the frame (110).

[0068] Referring to FIG. 3, the device (100) can be detachably mounted on a side (C) of a vehicle, etc. The vehicle to which the device (100) is mounted is not limited to a specific vehicle. Accordingly, by mounting the device (100) on a vehicle and using it, the user can easily clean fallen leaves around the road or on the shoulder while driving. In particular, fallen leaves can be collected and shredded simultaneously. Furthermore, the device (100) has a simple structure, making it highly maintainable.

[0069] Fig. 4 is a modified example of the bracket. Referring to Fig. 4, the bracket (111) includes a rod portion (111a) of a predetermined length, a first catch portion (111b) and a second catch portion (111c) that are provided to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the rod portion (111a), and the device (100) can be provided to be vertically coupled to a side surface (C) of a cargo compartment of a truck. The first catch portion (111b) and the second catch portion (111c) have a shape that extends downward from the rod portion (111a), and the gap between the first catch portion (111b) and the second catch portion (111c) can be adjusted depending on the thickness of the side surface (C).

[0070] The device (100) can be provided to operate in various modes by the control unit (190). For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the device (100) can operate in a moisture removal mode (S100) and a general mode (S200). The modes of the device (100) are not limited to the aforementioned modes.

[0071] When using the device (100) after rain or in the early morning hours, the device (100) can be operated in a moisture removal mode (S100) because there is a high possibility that fallen leaves will be wet. The moisture removal mode (S100) includes a step of opening the door and operating a hot air blower (S110), a step of operating a suction fan (S120), a step of measuring the weight of fallen leaves deposited on a slope (S130), and a step of controlling the strength of the hot air blower for a certain period of time according to the measured value of the weight sensor (S140).

[0072] In step (S110), the door (160) is opened, and the hot air blower (210) is operated, so that the inside of the housing (120) becomes a high-temperature, dry state. The reason why the door (160) is opened is that in the case of wet fallen leaves, there is a low risk of them being sucked into the suction fan (132) due to their weight, and there is a high risk of them being deposited around the cover (124). In step (S120), the suction fan (132) is operated, so that suction is performed. At this time, the higher the moisture content of the fallen leaves, the higher the risk of the fallen leaves being deposited on the slope (123). In step (S130), the weight of the fallen leaves deposited on the slope is measured by the weight sensor (180), and in step (S140), the strength of the hot air blower (210) is controlled for a certain period of time by the control unit (190) according to the measured value of the weight sensor (180). The larger the measurement value of the weight sensor (180), the more powerful the heat blower (210) can be provided to operate for a long time. On the other hand, if the measurement value of the weight sensor (180) exceeds 1 kg, the operation of the suction fan (132) is stopped for 1 minute, and the heat blower (210) can be operated at maximum power.

[0073] When the device (100) is used in dry weather or normal weather, the device (100) can be operated in a normal mode (S200). The normal mode (S200) includes a step of operating a suction fan (S210) and a step of controlling the opening and closing of the door based on the height of the other side of the plate (S220). In step (S210), the suction fan (132) is operated to perform suction. In step (S220), the opening and closing of the door (160) is controlled by the control unit (190) based on the height of the other side of the plate (150) measured by the distance sensor (170). Through this, dry fallen leaves are effectively blocked from entering the upper area of ​​the plate (150).

[0074] Although the present invention has been described in the foregoing manner, those skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the concept and scope of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A frame that can be removed from the vehicle, A housing that is mounted on the above frame, has a leaf suction port formed on the side, a leaf discharge port formed on the lower side, and an open upper surface; A head assembly comprising a filter and a suction fan and coupled to the upper portion of the housing; A crushing unit provided on the lower surface of the housing to crush fallen leaves discharged through the fallen leaves discharge port, A plate whose one side is hinged to the inner wall of the housing and rises by the suction force of the suction fan to block fallen leaves sucked into the leaf suction port from moving to the suction fan; A stopper unit provided inside the housing to limit the rotation angle of the plate, A door that opens and closes the leaf suction port and has a surface in the form of a mesh, A distance sensor that senses the position of the above plate, and Control unit that controls the above door Including, The above control unit, When the other side height of the above plate is less than the set height, the door is controlled to close the leaf suction port, A stationary leaf collection device that controls the door to open the leaf suction port when the other side height of the plate is higher than the set height.

2. In paragraph 1, A slope provided inside the housing to guide fallen leaves sucked into the fallen leaves suction port to the discharge port, A weight sensor that measures the weight of fallen leaves deposited on the above slope, and A hot air blower provided inside the housing and blowing hot air in the direction of the slope Including, The above control unit, A stationary leaf collection device that controls the strength of the hot air blower according to the measurement value of the above weight sensor.

3. In paragraph 2, A stationary leaf collection device in which a path is formed on the slope to provide a path for the liquid to flow so that the liquid inside the housing is discharged to the outside of the housing.

4. In paragraph 1, The above frame is, Includes a bracket that is fixed to the vehicle, The above brackets are, A rod of a certain length, A first hook portion provided to be movable along the length direction of the above-mentioned bar portion, and A second catch provided to be movable along the length direction of the above bar portion Including, The above bracket is a vertically mounted leaf collection device attached to the side of the cargo compartment of a truck.

5. As a control method for the stand-type leaf collection device of paragraph 2, In the moisture removal mode of the above-mentioned stand-type leaf collection device, Step of opening the above door and operating the above heater, Step of operating the above suction fan, A step of measuring the weight of fallen leaves deposited on the above slope; A step of controlling the strength of the hot air blower for a certain period of time according to the measurement value of the weight sensor. In the normal mode of the above-mentioned stand-type leaf collection device, Step of operating the above suction fan, and A step for controlling the opening and closing of the door based on the height of the other side of the plate. A control method for a stand-type leaf collection device including a .

Images