Cleaning Device for Surfaces

Abstract

A cleaning device and a cleaning method for surfaces (22) in an application space (20) comprising at least a removal means (4) for application of a cleaning fluid (7) and/or for the removal of adhesions from the surfaces (22), and at least one positioning means (12) of the cleaning device (1) in the application space (20). According to the invention, the positioning means (12) is connected with a control means (1), which comprises a storage device (1), and with the at least one removal means (4) such that cleaning parameters stored in the storage device of the control means can be assigned to a position, and are transferred by the control means to the removal means (4), and the cleaning parameters, when the position is reached, are applied to the removal means (4).

Claims

1. A cleaning device for at least one surface (22) in an application space (20) comprising at least a removal means (4) for the application of a cleaning fluid (7) and/or for removal of adhesions of the at least one surface (22) and at least a positioning means (12) of the cleaning device (1) in the application space (20), characterised in that the at least one positioning means (12) is connected with a control means (1), which comprises a storage device (1), and with the at least one removal means (4) such that cleaning parameters stored in the storage device of the control means can be assigned to a position, and are transferred by the control means to the removal means (4), and the cleaning parameters, when the position is reached, are applied to the removal means (4).

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one removal means (4) is carried out as a nozzle arrangement which applies the cleaning fluid (7) on a site of the adhesion by applying the cleaning parameters.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle arrangement (4) is carried out as one or several static nozzles (4), one or several rotating nozzles (4), and/or as a controlled jet cleaner, which comprises one or several nozzles (4) controllable in their orientation, wherein the nozzles (4) are each controllable in addition by applying the cleaning parameters.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein as cleaning parameters properties of the cleaning fluid (7), type of the application and/or direction of the application of the cleaning fluid (7) are provided.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein for movement of the cleaning device (1) to a site in the application space (20) and during the cleaning operation, a running gear (2) connected with the cleaning device (1) or an adapter for connection with a conveyor unit are provided in the application space (20).

6. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein an equipment for the detection of adhesions (13) is provided and connected with the control means.

7. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the control means is carried out as a self-learning system for self-optimisation when detecting and treating adhesions.

8. The cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein the equipment for the detection of adhesions is carried out as an optical detector (13) by using a luminescence effect of the adhesion by light radiation emitted by the cleaning device (1) or in the application space (20) by a lighting means (10).

9. The cleaning device according to claim 8, wherein the lighting means (10) is carried in such a manner that NIR or MIR spectroscopy can be executed in a reflection procedure.

10. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the cleaning device (1) and the tank is provided as a supply hose (8) for delivery of the cleaning fluid (7) from the outside of the application space (20) and/or a tank mechanically connected to the cleaning device (1) which contains at least the cleaning fluid (7).

11. The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein a suction device and a collecting means is provided for the cleaning fluid (7) contaminated with the adhesions, wherein the collecting means is located outside the application space (20) and is connected with the suction device by means of a supply hose (8) or the collecting means is an on-board collecting means in the cleaning device (1) and mechanically connected with the suction device.

12. A method for cleaning surfaces by using a cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that a position of the cleaning device (1) in an application space is determined and a control means transmits cleaning parameters as a function of position to a removal means (4) for application of a cleaning fluid (4) which is suitable for removal of adhesions from the at least one surface (22).

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a detection of adhesions is carried, the result is evaluated in the control means and implemented in a modification of the cleaning parameters.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the detection of adhesions is carried out by means of optical detection by using a luminescence effect.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the control means is a self-learning system and achieves a self-optimisation when detecting and treating adhesions.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein for positioning according to a first embodiment a manually specified position stored in the storage device related to a distance travelled, according to a second embodiment a detection of signal transmitters located in the application space (20) and/or according to a third embodiment a spatial form stored in the storage device for control adjustment with data obtained on the position reached by a 3-D scanner (12) is provided.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the spatial form stored in the storage device is obtained during at least an initial movement of the cleaning device (1) through the application space (20).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The following are shown in the accompanying drawings:

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a cleaning device 1 according to the invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0052] By means of the description of an embodiment and its representation in the associated drawing, the invention is explained in more detail below.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of a cleaning device 1 according to the invention. Movement of the cleaning device 1 occurs by driven wheels 2 which are located on a housing 3 and serve as a running gear for independent movement. The wheels 2 are running on a track railway 24 wherein the friction pairing between track railway 24 and wheels 2 is selected in such a manner that a substantially slip-free movement is made possible. Thus, it is also possible to use a means for calculating the distance driven in order to determine and/or verify the current position wherein a non-driven wheel is most appropriate for this.

[0054] The main function of the cleaning device 1 is the cleaning of surfaces 22 in an application space 20 by application of a cleaning fluid 7 and/or by removing adhesions. For this purpose nozzles 4 are provided the action of which is provided in all directions where cleaning is required. In the schematic representation, this is shown by a cleaning jet 6 which extends up to the surface 22. The cleaning fluid 7 discharged here is applied to the surface 22 under pressure so that adhesions are removed mechanically. A pretreatment, in particular by using a chemical and/or mechanical additive is provided for soaking the adhesions, if necessary, up to entire removal. In the embodiment shown, the cleaning fluid 7 is supplied from the outside via a supply hose 8 which outside the application space 20 is unwound preferably from a hose reel. Parallel to the supply hose 8, also electrical lines for energy supply and for transmission of information can be lead to the cleaning device 1 according to the invention.

[0055] In order to determine the position of the cleaning device 1 in the application space 20, a 3-D scanner 12 is used in the embodiment shown which detects the local three-dimensional structure of the application space 20 and supplies this information to a control means where the additional information is aligned with previously stored information of the known internal structure of the application space 20, and a current position is determined from it. Further information as those gained from the means for calculating the distance driven can be integrated.

[0056] An optical detector 13 is provided in order to detect deposits on the surface 22 in an observation area 14, forward the information collected to the control means and thus obtain an adjustment of the cleaning parameters. Since no ambient light is available in a closed application space 20, a lighting 10 is provided which illuminates the observation area 14. The illumination can be made successively or simultaneously in different spectra and/or wavelengths in order to be able to evaluate the different images obtained here. As a result, more precise information on the type of deposits are to be obtained since they have different properties regarding absorption and reflection of different wavelengths of light. By this, in turn, an adjustment and optimisation of the cleaning parameters and a safe and efficient cleaning of the application space 20 can occur. Optimisation can be made not only for the current cleaning cycle but also within the meaning of a self-learning system for general optimisation of later cleaning cycles.

[0057] The embodiment shown is particularly suitable for narrow application spaces 20 since it is equipped only with a minimum of additional units and therefore has a small size. If more space is available, for example, an on-board tank for the cleaning fluid 7 can be provided so that the supply hose 8 can be omitted. Also, the energy supply occurs via batteries then. In addition, a tank for contaminated cleaning fluid 7, for example, collected on the bottom and a suction device can be provided for it.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0058] 1 cleaning device [0059] 2 wheel, running gear [0060] 3 housing [0061] 4 nozzle, nozzle arrangement, removal means [0062] 6 cleaning jet [0063] 7 cleaning fluid [0064] 7 cleaning fluid contaminated [0065] 8 supply hose [0066] 10 lighting means [0067] 12 3-D scanner, positioning means [0068] 13 optical detector, equipment for the detection of adhesions [0069] 14 observation area [0070] 20 application space [0071] 22 surface [0072] 24 track railway