Self-propelled washing device using reduced internal pressure for adhering to a vertical or inclined surface

Abstract

A self-propelled washing apparatus comprises a housing having an interior which opens toward an open side of the housing; a flexible member air-tightly coupled to the open side of the housing; a drive mechanism for engaging a vertical or inclined support surface along which the apparatus is to be propelled to wash the support surface; and a device for producing reduced pressure in the interior of the housing. When the open side of the housing is placed against the support surface, the reduced pressure in the interior of the housing causes the housing to move toward the support surface and to flex the flexible member. Most of the reaction force to the moving of the housing comes from a contact force between the drive mechanism and the support surface. This contact force maintains positive and accurate driving of the apparatus along the support surface.

1 . A self-propelled washing apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a cover member and side walls, said housing having an interior defined within said cover member and side walls and opening toward an open side of said housing;    a flexible member air-tightly coupled to said side walls at the open side of said housing;    a drive mechanism coupled to said housing and having at least one contact surface adapted to engage a vertical or inclined support surface along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled to wash said support surface;    a device for producing reduced pressure in the interior of said housing, said produced reduced pressure in the interior of said housing being less than the pressure at the exterior of said housing; and    a device coupled to said housing for applying a cleaning fluid to said support surface;    wherein when said open side of said housing of said washing apparatus is placed against said support surface which is to be cleaned and along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled, the differential pressure between said reduced pressure in the interior of said housing and the pressure outside of said housing causes said housing to move toward said support surface and to flex said flexible member, whereby most of the reaction force to said moving of said housing comes from a contact force between said at least one contact surface of said drive mechanism and said support surface along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled, said contact force maintaining positive and accurate driving of said washing apparatus along said support surface.    
     
     
         2 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a blade mounted to said housing for contacting said support surface for wiping and cleaning said support surface.  
     
     
         3 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said device for applying a cleaning fluid comprises a dispensing device mounted to said housing for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto said support surface.  
     
     
         4 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said dispensing device is arranged to dispense said cleaning fluid outside of said housing.  
     
     
         5 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said device for producing reduced pressure in the interior of said housing includes a Venturi device which receives compressed air from an external compressed air source.  
     
     
         6 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said external compressed air source is connected to said housing by an elongated hose which is connected to said Venturi device.  
     
     
         7 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one contact surface of said drive mechanism comprises at least two drive members, each drive member having a contact surface.  
     
     
         8 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said drive mechanism further comprises an electric motor drivingly coupled to each of said at least two drive members.  
     
     
         9 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein said electric motors are connected to a switched power source arranged externally of said housing.  
     
     
         10 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the total weight of said housing, flexible member, drive mechanism, device for producing reduced pressure and device for applying a cleaning fluid is no more than about 2 kg, and preferably no more than about 0.5 kg.  
     
     
         11 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said drive mechanism is mounted in the interior of said housing.  
     
     
         12 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible member is arranged at a portion of said side walls adjacent said open side of said housing, and includes a surface for bearing and sealing against said support surface.  
     
     
         13 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one resilient spring coupled to said flexible member for biasing said flexible member in a direction toward said open side of said housing.  
     
     
         14 . A self-propelled washing apparatus comprising: 
 a housing having a cover member and side walls, said housing having an interior defined within said cover member and side walls and opening toward an open side of said housing;    a drive mechanism coupled to said housing and having at least one contact surface adapted to engage a vertical or inclined support surface along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled to wash said support surface;    a device for producing reduced pressure in the interior of said housing, said produced reduced pressure in the interior of said housing being less than the pressure at the exterior of said housing;    a device coupled to said housing for applying a cleaning fluid to said support surface; and    flexible means for enabling said housing to move toward said support surface when said open side of said housing is placed against said support surface responsive to said reduced pressure being produced;    wherein when said open side of said housing of said washing apparatus is placed against said support surface which is to be cleaned and along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled, the differential pressure between said reduced pressure in the interior of said housing and the pressure outside of said housing causes said housing to move toward said support surface, whereby most of the reaction force to said moving of said housing comes from a contact force between said at least one contact surface of said drive mechanism and said support surface along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled, said contact force maintaining positive and accurate driving of said washing apparatus along said support surface.    
     
     
         15 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 14 , further comprising a blade mounted to said housing for contacting said support surface for wiping and cleaning said support surface.  
     
     
         16 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said device for applying a cleaning fluid comprises a dispensing device mounted to said housing for dispensing a cleaning fluid onto said support surface.  
     
     
         17 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said dispensing device is arranged to dispense said cleaning fluid outside of said housing.  
     
     
         18 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said device for producing reduced pressure in the interior of said housing includes a Venturi device which receives compressed air from an external compressed air source.  
     
     
         19 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said external compressed air source is connected to said housing by an elongated hose which is connected to said Venturi device.  
     
     
         20 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said at least one contact surface of said drive mechanism comprises at least two drive members, each drive member having a contact surface.  
     
     
         21 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said drive mechanism further comprises an electric motor drivingly coupled to each of said at least two drive members.  
     
     
         22 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein said electric motors are connected to a switched power source arranged externally of said housing.  
     
     
         23 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the total weight of said housing, flexible means, drive mechanism, device for producing reduced pressure and device for applying a cleaning fluid is no more than about 2 kg, and preferably no more than about 0.5 kg.  
     
     
         24 . The washing apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said drive mechanism is mounted in the interior of said housing.  
     
     
         25 . A method of washing windows on a substantially vertical surface of a tall building, comprising: 
 providing a self-propelled washing apparatus including a housing having a cover member and side walls, said housing having an interior defined within said cover member and side walls and opening toward an open side of said housing; a drive mechanism coupled to said housing and having at least one contact surface adapted to engage a vertical or inclined outer window surface of the tall building and along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled to wash said window surface; a device for producing reduced pressure in the interior of said housing, said produced reduced pressure in the interior of said housing being less than the pressure at the exterior of said housing; and a device coupled to said housing for applying a cleaning fluid to said window surface;    applying said washing apparatus to said outer window surface by hand through an opening in said building such that said open side of said housing of said washing apparatus is against said outer window surface along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled, the differential pressure between said reduced pressure in the interior of said housing and the pressure outside of said housing causing said housing to move toward said window surface,    controlling driving of said washing apparatus along said window surface from inside said building, wherein most of the reaction force to said moving of said housing comes from a contact force between said at least one contact surface of said drive mechanism and said window surface along which the washing apparatus is to be propelled.    
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising mounting a blade to said housing for contacting said support surface for wiping and cleaning said support surface.  
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 25 , comprising dispensing said cleaning fluid onto said support surface by said device for applying a cleaning fluid.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , comprising dispensing said cleaning fluid outside of said housing.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 25 , comprising producing reduced pressure in the interior of said housing by a Venturi device which receives compressed air from an external compressed air source.  
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , comprising connecting said external compressed air source to said housing by an elongated hose which is connected to said Venturi device.  
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 25 , comprising providing said at least one contact surface of said drive mechanism as at least two drive members, each drive member having a contact surface.  
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , comprising providing said drive mechanism with an electric motor drivingly coupled to each of said at least two drive members.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 32 , comprising coupling said electric motors to a switched power source arranged externally of said housing.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 25 , wherein the total weight of said housing, drive mechanism, device for producing reduced pressure and device for applying a cleaning fluid is no more than about 2 kg, and preferably no more than about 0.5 kg.