Cleaning device for cleaning artificial floor areas provided with floor covering particles, especially for artificial turf

Abstract

A cleaning device for cleaning artificial floor coverings provided with floor covering particles, such as artificial turf, comprising a sweeping device for gathering dirt particles from the floor covering, a separation device for separating the dirt particles from floor covering particles, a floor covering particle feedback device for gathering the floor covering particles separated from the dirt particles and feeding back the floor covering particles to the floor, a filter device for filtering dust particles, and a suction device which draws air from the area of the separation device through the filter device. First and second negative-pressure chambers in which negative pressure can be formed by the suction device suction are formed above and below the separation device, respectively, in fluid communication through the separation device. The first negative-pressure chamber is in fluid communication with the suction device only via the second negative-pressure chamber.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning artificial floor coverings provided with floor covering particles, comprising: a sweeping device configured to gather dirt particles and floor covering particles from the floor covering; a separation device configured to separate the dirt particles from the floor covering particles gathered by the sweeping device; a filter device configured to filter dust particles; a suction device configured to draw air from the area of the separation device through the filter device; a first negative-pressure chamber and a second negative-pressure chamber, in which a negative pressure is formed by the suction of the suction device, the first negative-pressure chamber being formed above the separation device; the first and the second negative-pressure chambers being in fluid communication through the separation device; the second negative-pressure chamber being formed below the separation device, and a passage to the suction device defines an inlet which opens into the second negative-pressure chamber at a location below the separation device; and the first negative-pressure chamber being in fluid communication with the suction device through the second negative-pressure chamber such that the suction device is configured to draw air from the first negative-pressure chamber through the separation device into the second negative-pressure chamber to collect the floor covering particles separated from the dirt particles in the separation device; and a floor covering particle feedback device configured to feed back to the floor the floor covering particles collected in the separation device.

2. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second negative-pressure chambers are interconnected by a bypass duct to draw air through the bypass duct to avoid passing through the separation device from the first negative-pressure chamber into the second negative-pressure chamber and into the suction device.

3. A cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a transport duct configured to transport the particles from the sweeping device to the separation device.

4. A cleaning device according to claim 3, further comprising a bypass duct, at the separation device, comprising an inlet section that is directed towards the separation device; and wherein the transport duct is disposed adjacent to the inlet section and, with at least one directional component, is oriented in an opposite direction to a directional component of the inlet section.

5. A cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a third negative-pressure chamber configured such that the suction device leads into the third negative-pressure chamber, the second negative-pressure chamber being in fluid communication with the suction device via the third negative-pressure chamber, and the filter device being interposed between the second and the third negative-pressure chambers so that air drawn from the second negative-pressure chamber into the third negative-pressure chamber flows through the filter device to filter out dust.

6. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the filter device comprises at least one cyclone filter.

7. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the separation device comprises an upper coarser screen configured to separate dirt particles that are larger compared to the floor covering particles and a lower finer screen configured to separate the floor covering particles from dirt or dust particles that are smaller compared to the floor covering particles, such that the floor covering particles can be transferred from the intermediate space between the screens to the floor covering particle feedback device.

8. A cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the suction device is configured to draw air from the first negative-pressure chamber at least partially through the upper and through the lower screen via the second negative-pressure chamber and via the filter device.

9. A cleaning device according to claim 2, further comprising a transport duct configured to transport the particles from the sweeping device to the separation device.

10. A cleaning device according to claim 9, wherein the bypass duct, at the separation device, comprises an inlet section that is directed towards the separation device; and the transport duct is disposed adjacent to the inlet section and, with at least one directional component, is oriented in an opposite direction to a directional component of the inlet section.

11. A cleaning device according to claim 2, further comprising a third negative-pressure chamber configured such that the suction device leads into the third negative-pressure chamber, the second negative-pressure chamber being in fluid communication with the suction device via the third negative-pressure chamber, and the filter device being interposed between the second and the third negative-pressure chambers so that air drawn from the second negative-pressure chamber into the third negative-pressure chamber flows through the filter device to filter out dust.

12. A cleaning device according to claim 3, further comprising a third negative-pressure chamber configured such that the suction device leads into the third negative-pressure chamber, the second negative-pressure chamber being in fluid communication with the suction device via the third negative-pressure chamber, and the filter device being interposed between the second and the third negative-pressure chambers so that air drawn from the second negative-pressure chamber into the third negative-pressure chamber flows through the filter device to filter out dust.

13. A cleaning device according to claim 4, further comprising a third negative-pressure chamber configured such that the suction device leads into the third negative-pressure chamber, the second negative-pressure chamber being in fluid communication with the suction device via the third negative-pressure chamber, and the filter device being interposed between the second and the third negative-pressure chambers so that air drawn from the second negative-pressure chamber into the third negative-pressure chamber flows through the filter device to filter out dust.

14. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the floor covering particle feedback device comprises a feedback duct that communicates with the separation device apart from the second negative-pressure chamber to feed back to the floor the floor covering particles collected in the separation device.

15. A cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the separation device is angled downward toward the floor covering particle feedback device and comprises a vibration generating device configured to vibrate the separation filter to move the floor covering particles collected in the separation device toward the floor covering particle feedback device.

16. A cleaning device according to claim 2, further comprising a brush strip positioned between the separation device and the bypass duct.

17. A cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein the lower finer screen comprises an open edge in communication with the floor covering particle feedback device to pass the floor covering particles from the intermediate space between the screens to the floor covering particle feedback device.

18. A cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the separation device comprises an upper coarser screen configured to separate dirt particles that are larger compared to the floor covering particles and a lower finer screen configured to separate the floor covering particles from dirt or dust particles that are smaller compared to the floor covering particles, such that the floor covering particles can be transferred from the intermediate space between the screens to the floor covering particle feedback device.

19. A cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the separation device comprises an upper coarser screen configured to separate dirt particles that are larger compared to the floor covering particles and a lower finer screen configured to separate the floor covering particles from dirt or dust particles that are smaller compared to the floor covering particles, such that the floor covering particles can be transferred from the intermediate space between the screens to the floor covering particle feedback device.

20. A cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the separation device comprises an upper coarser screen configured to separate dirt particles that are larger compared to the floor covering particles and a lower finer screen configured to separate the floor covering particles from dirt or dust particles that are smaller compared to the floor covering particles, such that the floor covering particles can be transferred from the intermediate space between the screens to the floor covering particle feedback device.

Description

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained below with reference to the attached drawings. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a cleaning device for cleaning artificial turf;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a top view onto the cleaning device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a view of the right-hand side, with internal elements of the cleaning device being represented by dashed lines;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective side view from the right and the rear onto the cleaning device, with internal areas and elements being represented by dashed lines;

(6) FIG. 5 shows another view, shown in a partial section, of the cleaning unit, from which internal elements are more clearly apparent;

(7) FIG. 6 shows another view, shown in a partial section and partially in perspective, of the cleaning device.

(8) FIGS. 1-6 show different views of a cleaning device 10 for cleaning artificial turf.

(9) The cleaning device 10 comprises a sweeping device 12, a separation device 14, a floor covering particle feedback device 16, a filter device 18 and a suction device 20. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises a motor 22 for driving the devices.

(10) The exemplary embodiment of the cleaning device 10 shown is configured as a mobile cleaning unit 24 that can be hooked up to a vehicle (not shown). The cleaning device 10 comprises a device frame 26, a running gear 28 and a housing 30.

(11) A hook-up device 32 is attached to the device frame 26 for hooking it up to the towing vehicle.

(12) The running gear 28 comprises castors 34 that are rotatable about a vertical axis and wheels 36, so that the cleaning device 10 can be driven over a floor area to be cleaned. In a further embodiment which is not shown in more detail, the cleaning device 10 is configured as a self-propelled device, wherein the wheels 36 can be driven by the motor 22.

(13) The sweeping device 12 is configured for gathering dirt particles from the floor covering to be cleaned. In the example shown here, it comprises a brush roller 40 that can be driven by the motor 22.

(14) In the example shown, the brush roller 40 is disposed between the castors 34 and the wheels 36 and comprises bristles 42 which, when rotating over the artificial turf with artificial blades, can swipe floor covering particles between them in order to straighten up, freshen up and clean the artificial turf.

(15) As can best be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the brush roller 40 is formed in an infeed chamber 44 which is open towards the bottom and which is delimited, on the one hand, by a front housing wall 46 and, on the other hand, by a transverse partition 48. In the illustrations of FIGS. 5 and 6, the brush roller 40 is driven to rotate in such a manner that the brushes at the bottom swipe over the artificial turf in a direction opposite to the driving direction and are brought up at the front of the brush roller 40.

(16) A transport duct 50 for transporting material gathered up by the sweeping device towards the separation device 14 is formed above the area of the brush roller that rotates upwards.

(17) For example, the transport duct 50 is also delimited by the housing wall 46 and a corresponding upwardly extending appendage of the transverse partition 48. The transport duct 50 leads upwards from the infeed chamber 44 and is then further delimited, in an upper area of the cleaning device, by an upper partition 52, which partition is curved in an approximate S-shape. Thus, the transport duct 50 first extends upwards in an oblique manner and then takes a turn in a downward direction towards the separation device 14. The partition 42 is extended above the separation device 14 by an end portion, which is again curved upwards, wherein this curved end portion 54 defines a gap 56 between the separation device 14 and the partition 52. Thus, the transport duct ends in an inlet section that is directed obliquely downward and rearward towards the separation device 14.

(18) The separation device 14 is configured for separating the particles gathered up by the sweeping device 12 into dirt particles, on the one hand, and floor covering particles, on the other hand.

(19) In the example shown, the separation device 14 comprises a coarser screen 58 to which larger dirt particles adhere and through which smaller floor covering particles pass that are to be fed back to the floor.

(20) The separation device 14 furthermore comprises a finer screen 60 which, with regard to its mesh size, is selected in such a way that floor covering particles that are to be fed back to the floor are retained and dirt particles and dust particles with a smaller particles size than the floor covering particles pass through.

(21) Accordingly, the separation device 14 comprises a multiple screen, in particular a dual screen 62. The coarser screen 58 is preferably configured as an upper screen and the finer screen 60 is preferably configured as a lower screen.

(22) The separation device 14 moreover comprises a vibration-generating device 64 with which the dual screen 62 can be made to vibrate. The vibration-generating device 64 comprises, for example, a rotating shaft 66 with eccentric members which is driven by the motor 22. With one end, the dual screen 62 is eccentrically mounted on the rotating shaft 66, with another end, which in this case is the rear end, seen in the driving direction, being disposed lower, so that the dual screen 62 is inclined in a rearward and downward direction.

(23) The upper coarser screen 58 ends at this lower end above a first collecting container 68 for collecting coarser dirt particles.

(24) The lower, finer screen 60 is configured to be shorter than the upper, coarser screen 58, and with its lower end ends above a receiving area 70 of the floor covering particle feedback device 16.

(25) Thus, the floor covering particle feedback device 16 is configured for gathering the floor covering particles that have been separated from the dirt particles by the separation device 14, that pass through the coarser screen 58, and that have been retained by the finer screen 60, and moreover serves for feeding back the floor covering particles to the floor. For this purpose, the floor covering particle feedback device 16 comprises a feedback duct 72 which substantially extends transversely through the device and is open towards the bottom.

(26) The feedback duct 72 is delimited towards the front by a front boundary wall 74 and towards the rear by a rear boundary wall 76. The rear boundary wall 76, for example, is a part of the first collecting container 68 whose rear area is delimited by a rear housing wall 78.

(27) The filter device 18 serves for filtering dust particles. It is disposed in an area between the transverse partition 48 and the front boundary wall 74.

(28) The filter device 18 comprises one or more cyclone filters 80. An entrance area of the cyclone filters 80 is located in a dividing wall 84 equipped with a filter entrance 82.

(29) The dividing wall 84 extends between the transverse partition 48 and the front boundary wall 74 and thus subdivides the area between these walls into several chambers.

(30) As a result, a first negative-pressure chamber 86 is thus formed which encloses the transport duct 50 with the transverse partition 58 and the upper partition 52 and an area above the separation device 14. Thus, the first negative-pressure chamber 86 is delimited by the boundaries of the transport duct 50, the gap 56 and the dividing wall 84.

(31) A second negative-pressure chamber 88, which is in fluid communication with the first negative-pressure chamber 86 via the dual screen 62 and a bypass duct 90, is formed in the area in front of and below the separation device 14 and above the dividing wall 84. Otherwise, the second negative-pressure chamber 88 is sealed from a rear area of the device by means of seals 92.

(32) The bypass duct 90, adjacent to the inlet section 51, leads out of the first negative-pressure chamber 86 in a direction towards the front. For example, the bypass duct 90 is formed below the inlet section 51. With regard to their horizontal directional components, the bypass duct 90 and the inlet section 51 are directed in opposite directions relative to one another, and form an acute angle between them. Air conducted through the inlet section 51 towards the separation device 14 can thus also be drawn off via the bypass duct 90. Lighter particles, such as dust, are capable of following the sharp change of direction and can be drawn off through the bypass duct 90; heavier particles, such as larger dirt particles and floor covering particles, however, immediately arrive at the separation device 14 due to their inertia.

(33) A third negative-pressure chamber 94 is formed between the dividing wall 84 and the front boundary wall 74, with this third negative-pressure chamber 94 being in fluid communication with the second negative-pressure chamber 88 only via the filter device 18, and more precisely, via the cyclone filters 80. The suction device 20 is configured for drawing off air from the area of the separation device 14 through the filter device 18.

(34) The suction device 20 can best be seen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 3. It comprises a fan 96, for example a radial fan, which is driven by the motor 22 and is connected to the third negative-pressure chamber 94 by means of a suctioning duct 98.

(35) Thus, the fan 96 draws air through the suctioning duct 98 and generates a negative pressure in the third negative-pressure chamber, whereby air is in turn drawn out from the second negative-pressure chamber 88 through the filter device 18 towards the third negative-pressure chamber 94. The second negative-pressure chamber 88 is in fluid communication with the first negative-pressure chamber 86, in part via the separation device 14 and in part via the bypass duct 90, whereby a negative pressure is also generated in the first negative-pressure chamber 86. Dust particles captured by the cyclone filters 80 are collected in a second collecting container 100 located below the filter device 18.

(36) Furthermore, an inlet comb 102 for aligning the artificial turf is provided at a front lower end portion of the cleaning device. Moreover, a brush assembly 104 comprising brushes 106 hinged to moveable supporting arms is provided on a rear lower end portion. A transport positionsupporting arm and brushes 106 are pivoted upwardsand a working positionsupporting arm and brushes 106 are pivoted downwardsare shown in the illustrations. The supporting arms can be manually moved between these end positions and locked in the end positions.

(37) The function of the exemplary embodiment of the cleaning device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 will by explained below.

(38) The cleaning device 10 is driven over the artificial turf (not shown) to be cleaned, with the motor 22 driving the brush roller 40 to rotate and causing the dual screen 62 to vibrate. Moreover, the fan 96 is driven by the motor 22 in order thus to generate a negative pressure in the negative-pressure chambers 86, 88, 94.

(39) The artificial turf (not shown) is passed through the inlet comb 102 and the rotating brush roller 40 with its bristles 42 is applied to it. The rotation of the brush roller 40 generates a dynamic pressure in an upward direction within the transport duct 50, so that particles gathered by the brush roller 40 are conducted upwards through the transport duct 50 and then along the upper bend, and moved towards the separation device 14. Larger dirt particles become stuck on the coarser screen 58 and are transported through the gap 56 towards the rear into the first collecting container 68 by the vibrating motion. Floor covering particles and smaller dirt particles pass through the coarser screen 58, with this movement, as well as the entire particle transport, being additionally supported by the suction during the drawing process between the first negative-pressure chamber 86 and the second negative-pressure chamber 88. Suction is applied to the entire negative-pressure chambers 86, 88, 94 by the fan 96, so that dust particles are conducted through the finer screen 60 towards the filter device 18. The suction through the separation device 14 is set by the dimensions of the cross section of the bypass duct 90. For this purpose, the bypass duct 90 contains corresponding baffle members, such as, in particular, a brush strip 110 disposed at the upper curved area of the transverse partition 48. Moreover, a part of the air flowing in through the inlet section 51 is drawn off through the bypass duct 90, with smaller entrained dust particles, which are able to follow the change of direction between the inlet section 51 and the bypass duct 90 because of their low mass, also being drawn off. The power of the fan and the bypass duct 90 are set by the manufacturer in such a way that dust particles are reliably removed from the entire area of the separation device 14, but that the separating action of the separation device 14 is not substantially affected by adhering particles.

(40) The floor covering particles to be fed back are retained by the finer screen 60 and transferred into the floor covering particle feedback device 16 by the vibrating action and conducted back onto the floor through the feedback duct 62. There, they are distributed into the artificial turf and disposed between the blades of grass by the brushes 106 of the brush assembly 104, and the artificial turf is again uniformly supplied with the floor covering particles.

(41) The air from the second negative-pressure chamber 94 is transferred via the cyclone filters 80 into the third negative-pressure chamber 94, with the dust particles being separated in the process, and is discharged, freed from dust, via the suctioning duct 98 through the fan 96. The dirt and dust particles accumulating here are discharged into the second collecting container 100.

(42) The collecting containers 68, 100 can be removed from the device for the purpose of emptying them, in order thus to dispose of the dirt.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(43) 10 Cleaning device 12 Sweeping device 14 Separation device 16 Floor covering particle feedback device 18 Filter device 20 Suction device 22 Motor 24 Cleaning unit 26 Device frame 28 Running gear 30 Housing 32 Hook-up device 34 Castors 36 Wheels 40 Brush roller 42 Bristles 44 Infeed chamber 46 Housing wall 48 Transverse partition 50 Transport duct 51 Inlet section 52 Partition 54 Curved end portion 56 Gap 58 Coarser screen 60 Finer screen 62 Dual screen 64 Vibration-generating device 66 Rotating shaft 68 First collecting container 70 Receiving area 72 Feedback duct 74 Front boundary wall 76 Rear boundary wall 78 Rear housing wall 80 Cyclone filter 82 Filter entrance 84 Dividing wall 86 First negative-pressure chamber 88 Second negative-pressure chamber 90 Bypass duct 92 Seal 94 Third negative-pressure chamber 96 Fan 98 Suctioning duct 100 Second collecting container 102 Inlet comb 104 Brush assembly 106 Brushes 110 Brush strip