Road sweeper with multiple sweeping modes
阅读说明:本技术 具有多个清扫模式的道路清扫器 (Road sweeper with multiple sweeping modes ) 是由 D·D·格卢布雷希特 B·贾尔斯 F·W·克伦克 R·J·施林普舍尔 S·H·豪利 J·N 于 2018-04-13 设计创作,主要内容包括:本发明涉及一种具有用于从清扫的表面去除碎屑的多个清扫模式的道路清扫器或路面清扫器,其在某些实施例中可以包括清扫器车辆,所述清扫器车辆具有一对侧边扫帚以及至少一个物料转移扫帚,所述一对侧边扫帚可独立地在收回位置和延伸位置之间运动以用于将碎屑扫入它们之间的区域中,所述至少一个物料转移扫帚用于随着车辆沿其行进方向运动而清扫积聚在侧边扫帚之间的碎屑的一部分。风扇驱动的吸入口可以设置在车辆的每一侧处或附近。至少一个物料转移扫帚可以沿第一方向或其它方向旋转以转移碎屑而用于夹带到选定的吸入口中以用于转移到碎屑料斗。本发明还描述了其它实施例。(The present invention relates to a road sweeper or road sweeper having multiple sweeping modes for removing debris from a surface being swept, which in certain embodiments may include a sweeper vehicle having a pair of side brooms independently movable between a retracted position and an extended position for sweeping debris into an area therebetween, and at least one material transfer broom for sweeping a portion of debris accumulated between the side brooms as the vehicle moves in its direction of travel. The fan-driven intake may be provided at or near each side of the vehicle. At least one material transfer broom may be rotated in a first direction or other direction to transfer debris for entrainment into a selected suction inlet for transfer to a debris hopper. Other embodiments are also described.)
1. A sweeper vehicle for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, the sweeper vehicle comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom in a first rotational direction about an axis of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
the primary material transfer broom is rotatable in a selected one of a first rotational direction that transfers at least a portion of the debris to the first secondary material transfer broom and a second rotational direction that transfers at least a portion of the debris to the second secondary material transfer broom.
2. The sweeper vehicle of claim 1, further comprising:
a processor storing program control for controlling the squeegee, the material transfer broom, and the air flow valve to organize the squeegee, the material transfer broom, and the air flow valve into at least two operating states.
3. The sweeper vehicle of claim 2, said sweeper vehicle having a first operating state, said first operating state comprising:
the first side broom is positioned at or near its retracted position and the second side broom is positioned at or near its extended position, both side brooms rotating in respective directions to sweep debris into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom, and
the primary material transfer broom and the second secondary material transfer broom are rotated to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet, the air flow valve operatively associated with the second suction inlet is substantially open, and the air flow valve operatively associated with the first suction inlet is substantially closed.
4. The sweeper vehicle of claim 3, wherein:
the first secondary material transfer broom moves to an elevated position out of engagement with the surface being swept.
5. The sweeper vehicle of claim 2, said sweeper vehicle having a second operating state, said second operating state comprising:
said first side broom being positioned at or near its extended position and said second side broom being positioned at or near its retracted position, both side brooms rotating in respective directions to sweep debris into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom; and
as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the primary material transfer broom and the first secondary material transfer broom are rotated to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port, the air flow valve operatively associated with the second suction port is substantially closed, and the air flow valve operatively associated with the first suction port is substantially open.
6. The sweeper vehicle of claim 5, wherein:
the second secondary material transfer broom moves to an elevated position out of engagement with the surface being swept.
7. The sweeper vehicle of claim 2, having a third operating state comprising:
said first side broom and said second side broom being positioned at or near their respective extended positions and each side broom rotating in a direction to sweep debris into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom,
the one of the secondary material transfer brooms and the primary material transfer broom rotate in the same direction to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the one of the first suction port and the second suction port and the other of the secondary material transfer brooms rotates in a direction to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the other of the first suction port and the second suction port, the air flow valve operatively associated with the first suction port being substantially open and the air flow valve operatively associated with the second suction port being substantially open.
8. The sweeper vehicle of claim 2, further comprising:
a first intermediate material transfer broom mounted intermediate said main material transfer broom and said first secondary material transfer broom and operatively slaved to said first secondary material transfer broom for rotation in the same direction therewith, an
A second intermediate material transfer broom mounted intermediate said primary material transfer broom and said second secondary material transfer broom and operatively slaved to said second secondary material transfer broom for rotation in the same direction therewith.
9. The sweeper vehicle of claim 2, further comprising an air flow recirculation system comprising:
an air splitter for splitting a portion of the air flow from the outlet portion of the fan into an air flow conduit for discharge therefrom proximate a selected one of the first and second suction inlets such that at least a portion of the discharged air flow is directed into the selected suction inlet.
10. The sweeper vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a debris discharge system, the debris discharge system comprising:
an air splitter for splitting a portion of the air flow from the outlet portion of the fan into an air flow duct for discharge therefrom onto the surface being swept.
11. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a respective retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom, said first side broom being in its retracted position and said second side broom being in its extended position;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, the air flow valve for the second suction inlet being in its substantially open position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom in a selected one of a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom in at least a first rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom in at least a second rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the primary material transfer broom rotates in its second rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second secondary material transfer broom, which rotates in a rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second suction port for pickup therethrough.
12. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a respective retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom, said first side broom being in its extended position and said second side broom being in its retracted position;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, the air flow valve associated with the first suction inlet being in its substantially open position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a first direction and a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a second direction;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a first rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a second rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the primary material transfer broom rotates in its first rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first secondary material transfer broom, which rotates in a rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first suction port for pickup therethrough.
13. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between respective retracted and extended positions, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom, both side brooms being in their extended positions;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, each air flow valve being in its substantially open position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a first direction and a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a second direction;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a first rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a second rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
the primary material transfer broom rotates in one of its first and second rotational directions to transfer at least a portion of the debris to one of the first and second secondary material transfer brooms;
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the first secondary material transfer broom rotates in a direction of rotation to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first suction port for pickup therethrough; and
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the second secondary material transfer broom rotates in a direction of rotation to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second suction inlet for pickup therethrough.
14. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position; and the number of the first and second groups,
a main material transfer broom having a motor,
when the valve associated with the first suction port is in its substantially open position, the primary material transfer broom motor is configured to rotate the primary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a first rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris swept by at least one of the first side broom and the second side broom in a direction toward the first suction port for pickup thereby, and
when the valve associated with the second suction inlet is in its substantially open position, the primary material transfer broom motor is configured to rotate the at least one material transfer broom about the axis in a second rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris swept by at least one of the first side broom and the second side broom in a second direction for pickup by the second suction inlet.
15. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a respective retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom, said first side broom being in its retracted position and said second side broom being in its extended position;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position; and
a material transfer broom having a motor for rotating the material transfer broom in a rotational direction about a rotational axis to sweep at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom when the valve associated with the second suction inlet is in its substantially open position.
16. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom, said first side broom being in its extended position and said second side broom being in its retracted position;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position; and
a material transfer broom having a means for rotating the material transfer broom in a direction of rotation about an axis of rotation to sweep at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom when the valve associated with the first suction port is in its substantially open position.
17. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a first direction and a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a second direction;
a secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the secondary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation;
a pivotable support structure having the secondary material transfer broom mounted thereon and movable between a first position and a second position;
when the primary material transfer broom is rotated in its first rotational direction, the pivotable support structure is moved to its first position and the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its first rotational direction to brush debris provided by the primary material transfer broom toward the first suction port for pickup thereby, and
when the primary material transfer broom is rotated in its second rotational direction, the pivotable support structure is moved to its second position and the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its second rotational direction to brush debris provided by the primary material transfer broom toward the second suction opening for pickup thereby.
18. The sweeper vehicle system of claim 17, further comprising:
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating said second secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation, said second secondary material transfer broom being mounted on said pivotable support structure for movement between a first position and a second position,
in the first position, when the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its first rotational direction, the secondary material transfer broom is positioned for brushing debris provided by the primary material transfer broom in a direction for pickup by the first suction port, and
in the second position, when the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its second rotational direction, the secondary material transfer broom is positioned for brushing debris provided by the primary material transfer broom in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet.
19. A sweeper vehicle having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first side broom;
a second side broom spaced apart from the first side broom; and
at least one material transfer broom arranged at the rear of said side broom with respect to said direction of travel;
wherein the side broom and the at least one material transfer broom are operable in a plurality of modes for sweeping debris on a road as the vehicle advances in the direction of travel.
20. The sweeper vehicle of claim 19, wherein:
each of the first side broom and the second side broom are configurable in an extended position and a retracted position; and is
The at least one material transfer broom is rotatable in two different directions.
21. The sweeper vehicle of claim 20, wherein the plurality of modes includes a mode wherein:
the first side broom is in the extended position;
the second side broom is in the retracted position; and is
The at least one material transfer broom rotates in a first direction and is configured to receive debris from at least one of the side brooms.
22. The sweeper vehicle of claim 20, wherein the plurality of modes includes a mode wherein:
the first side broom is in the retracted position;
the second side broom is in the extended position; and is
The at least one material transfer broom rotates in a second direction and is configured to receive debris from at least one of the side brooms.
23. The sweeper vehicle of claim 20, wherein said at least one material transfer broom comprises a first material transfer broom and a second material transfer broom, and said plurality of modes comprises a mode wherein:
the first side broom rotates in a first direction;
said second side broom rotates in a second direction opposite said first direction;
the first material transfer broom rotates in the first direction and is configured to receive debris from at least one of the side brooms; and is
The second material transfer broom rotates in the first direction and is configured to receive debris from the first material transfer broom.
24. The sweeper vehicle of claim 23, wherein said first and second material transfer brooms are mounted to a swing arm that is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis.
25. The sweeper vehicle of claim 23, further comprising a third material transfer broom rotating in the first direction and configured to receive debris from the second material transfer broom.
26. The sweeper vehicle of claim 19, wherein said at least one material transfer broom is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis.
27. The sweeper vehicle of claim 19, further comprising at least one suction inlet, wherein said at least one material transfer broom is configured to sweep at least some of said debris toward said at least one suction inlet.
28. The sweeper vehicle of claim 27, wherein the at least one suction inlet includes a first suction inlet and a second suction inlet spaced from the first suction inlet.
29. The sweeper vehicle of claim 28, wherein the plurality of modes includes:
a first mode in which one of the first and second suction ports is operative to suck debris and the other of the first and second suction ports is not operative to suck debris; and
a second mode in which both the first and second suction ports are operative to suck debris.
30. The sweeper vehicle of claim 29, wherein:
the at least one material transfer broom comprises a plurality of material transfer brooms; and is
At least one of the plurality of material transfer brooms does not rotate in the first mode.
31. The sweeper vehicle of claim 20, wherein the two different directions include a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction from a top plan view perspective.
32. The sweeper vehicle of claim 19, wherein said at least one material transfer broom is configured to sweep at least some of said debris onto a conveyor for transport into a debris hopper.
33. A sweeper having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first broom disposed proximate a first side of the vehicle;
a second broom disposed proximate a second side of the vehicle;
each of the first broom and the second broom is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and sweep debris from a respective lateral interior side of the vehicle; and
a third broom disposed rearward of the first broom and the second broom relative to the direction of travel and configured to receive at least some of the debris from at least one of the first broom and the second broom as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
the third broom is further configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and sweep at least some of the debris toward at least one suction opening as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a scrap hopper; and
an air flow system comprising a fan operable to generate a flow of air sufficient to transport at least some of the debris from the at least one intake to the debris hopper.
34. The sweeper vehicle of claim 33, wherein said third broom is configured to rotate in a first direction in a first mode and said third broom is configured to rotate in a second direction in a second mode.
35. The sweeper vehicle of claim 34, wherein said at least one suction inlet includes a first suction inlet disposed at a rear of said first broom and a second suction inlet disposed at a rear of said second broom;
wherein the first suction port is not operative in the first mode for suctioning debris and the first suction port is operative in the second mode for suctioning debris; and is
Wherein the second suction inlet is operable in the first mode for suctioning debris and the second suction inlet is not operable in the second mode for suctioning debris.
36. The sweeper vehicle of claim 35, wherein:
the first broom is configured in a retracted position in the first mode and the first broom is configured in an extended position in the second mode; and is
The second broom is configured in an extended position in the first mode and the second broom is configured in a retracted position in the second mode.
37. A sweeper vehicle having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first broom disposed proximate a first side of the vehicle;
a second broom disposed proximate a second side of the vehicle;
each of the first broom and the second broom is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and sweep debris from a respective lateral interior side of the vehicle;
a third broom disposed rearward of the first broom and the second broom relative to the direction of travel and configured to receive at least some of the debris from at least one of the first broom and the second broom as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a fourth broom disposed rearward of the third broom relative to the direction of travel;
a fifth broom disposed rearward of the third broom relative to the direction of travel;
each of the third broom, the fourth broom, and the fifth broom is further configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis;
a first suction port disposed rearward of the first broom relative to the direction of travel;
a second suction inlet disposed rearward of the second broom relative to the direction of travel;
a scrap hopper; and
an air flow system comprising a fan operable to generate a flow of air sufficient to convey at least some of the debris from the second suction inlet to the debris hopper in a first mode and from the first suction inlet to the debris hopper in a second mode,
said third broom further configured to sweep at least some of said debris toward said fifth broom in said first mode, and said third broom further configured to sweep at least some of said debris toward said fourth broom in said second mode;
the fourth broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the first suction port in the second mode;
the fifth broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the second suction opening in the first mode.
38. The sweeper vehicle of claim 37, wherein said third broom, said fourth broom, and said fifth broom are arranged in a triple configuration.
39. The sweeper vehicle of claim 38, further comprising a third mode, wherein:
the fourth broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the first suction port;
said fifth broom further configured to sweep at least some of said debris toward said second suction opening; and is
The fan is operable to generate an airflow sufficient to transport at least some of the debris from the first suction inlet to the debris hopper and from the second suction inlet to the debris hopper.
40. The sweeper vehicle of claim 39, wherein, from a top plan view perspective, in the third mode:
the third broom is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction;
the fourth broom is configured to rotate in a counterclockwise direction; and is
The fifth broom is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction.
41. The sweeper vehicle of claim 37, further comprising:
a sixth broom intermediate said third broom and said fourth broom and configured to receive at least some of said debris from said third broom and sweep at least some of said debris toward said fourth broom in said second mode; and
a seventh broom intermediate the third broom and the fifth broom and configured to receive at least some of the debris from the third broom and sweep at least some of the debris toward the fifth broom in the first mode.
42. A sweeper having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first broom and a second broom, the second broom being laterally spaced from the first broom relative to the direction of travel;
each of the first broom and the second broom are configured to sweep debris in an inward direction;
a third broom disposed rearward of the first broom and the second broom relative to the direction of travel and configured to receive at least some of the debris from at least one of the first broom and the second broom as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a fourth broom disposed rearward of said third broom with respect to said direction of travel and pivotable between a first position in a first mode and a second position in a second mode;
a first suction port disposed rearward of the first broom relative to the direction of travel;
a second suction inlet disposed rearward of the second broom relative to the direction of travel;
a scrap hopper; and
an air flow system comprising a fan operable to generate a flow of air sufficient to convey at least some of the debris from the second suction inlet to the debris hopper in the first mode and from the first suction inlet to the debris hopper in the second mode.
The fourth broom is further configured to receive at least some of the debris from the third broom and sweep at least some of the debris toward the second suction inlet in the first mode and sweep at least some of the debris toward the first suction inlet in the second mode.
43. The sweeper vehicle of claim 42, further comprising:
a fifth broom intermediate the third broom and the fourth broom, the fifth broom configured to receive at least some of the debris from the third broom and sweep at least some of the debris toward the fourth broom.
44. The sweeper vehicle of claim 43, wherein each of said third broom, said fourth broom, and said fifth broom are configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis.
45. The sweeper vehicle of claim 44, wherein each of said third broom, said fourth broom, and said fifth broom are configured to rotate in a clockwise direction in said first mode from a top plan view perspective.
46. The sweeper vehicle of claim 44, wherein each of said third broom, said fourth broom, and said fifth broom are configured to rotate in a counterclockwise direction in said second mode from a top plan view perspective.
47. A sweeper vehicle for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, the vehicle having a longitudinal axis defining a vehicle first side and a vehicle second side, the sweeper vehicle comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to said vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of said side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between said first side broom and said second side broom;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to a debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when the valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom in a first rotational direction about an axis of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
said primary material transfer broom being rotatable in a selected one of a first rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of said debris to said first secondary material transfer broom and a second rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of said debris to said second secondary material transfer broom;
the primary material transfer broom is positioned with its axis of rotation on or adjacent to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
the first secondary material transfer broom is positioned with its axis of rotation offset from the longitudinal axis on the first side of the vehicle by a first selected distance such that the first secondary material transfer broom receives at least a portion of the debris swept thereto by the primary material transfer broom when the primary material transfer broom is rotated in its first direction of rotation;
the second secondary material transfer broom is positioned with its axis of rotation offset from the longitudinal axis on the second side of the vehicle by a second selected distance such that the second secondary material transfer broom receives at least a portion of the debris swept thereto by the primary material transfer broom when the primary material transfer broom is rotated in its second direction of rotation.
Background
This section is intended to provide a background or context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Thus, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Various types of vehicles have been developed to sweep or vacuum debris on sidewalks, roads and streets. In general, these vehicles may be classified as mechanical broom sweepers, regenerative air sweepers, vacuum sweepers, and in some cases, combination variants thereof.
Mechanical broom sweepers use one or more motor-driven brooms to mechanically sweep paper, plastic, trash, waste, plants (leaves, branches, grass clippings, etc.), asphalt debris, concrete debris, and larger sand or gravel particles toward a conveyor and onto the conveyor for transport into a debris collection hopper.
Regenerative air sweepers use a motor-driven fan to generate a high velocity recirculating air flow to entrain dust, particles and other debris from road or street surfaces. The recirculating air flow may pass through a debris container or hopper, which includes various types of partitions, screens, and/or baffles designed to slow the air flow and encourage entrained debris to collect in the debris hopper.
Vacuum sweeper vehicles use a motor-driven fan to develop a sub-atmospheric pressure within one or more vehicle air flow paths such that ambient air at atmospheric pressure enters one or more suction ports to create a suction effect that entrains debris into the air stream. The airflow with entrained debris may be delivered to a debris collection hopper where the debris may be separated from the airflow in the event that the airflow is being discharged from a sweeper vehicle. Brooms are often used to move debris in the direction of the suction opening to improve sweeping efficiency. For example, a cylindrical broom may be aligned in a side-to-side alignment (or at a selected angle) relative to the direction of travel to move debris toward the suction opening.
Optionally, a side broom (also known as a gutter broom) carried on a pivotally mounted arm may be mounted on one or both sides of the sweeper vehicle to brush debris into the path of an air intake cowl (also known as a pickup head).
While a broom may be efficient where the road surface is flat, many streets and road surfaces have irregular contours. For example, many road surfaces are intentionally crowned in the center of the road and may also have unintentionally spaced depressions caused by the front and rear tires of the heavy vehicle. In these cases, the broom may be effective in cleaning elevated surfaces, but in some cases may be less effective or ineffective in cleaning recessed areas. It is common for a broom to wear unevenly and often become tapered at one or both opposing ends (a condition known as "coning").
It would be a significant advance in the art to provide an improved sweeper vehicle that can more efficiently sweep road surfaces having a variety of different contours.
Disclosure of Invention
A sweeper vehicle having multiple sweeping modes may include a motor-driven rotatable broom on one side of the vehicle and another motor-driven rotatable broom on another side of the vehicle, each of the brooms being independently movable between a retracted position and an extended position for sweeping debris into an area between the brooms. Each of the side brooms may be equipped with a broom tilt system (e.g., about 1 to 6 degrees) that may be under the control of a stored program controlled microprocessor or other computer.
A debris intake may be provided on one side of the vehicle and another debris intake may be provided on the other side of the vehicle for drawing debris from the surface being cleaned, which may be commonly referred to as a roadway. As used herein, a roadway may be any type of surface over which vehicles may travel, such as a street, road, highway, parking lot, parking garage, or airport runway, for example, which may or may not be paved with materials such as asphalt, concrete, paving material, bricks, cobblestones, or combinations thereof. Any reference herein to a particular type of road (e.g., a street, sidewalk, highway, or other type of surface) should be understood to refer to any type of road. A motor driven fan may generate an air flow from one or the other or both of the debris intake openings for conveying debris entrained in the air flow through one, the other or both of the intake openings into a debris hopper where the entrained debris may be substantially separated from the air flow. Each debris intake may have an associated valve arrangement operable to substantially close air flow through the associated debris intake and open air flow through the associated debris intake. A motor driven material transfer broom or a plurality of such motor driven material transfer brooms may be arranged to direct debris provided by one or the other or both of the side brooms into one or the other or both of the suction openings.
In certain embodiments, the sweeper vehicle may have a defined longitudinal axis AL-ALIt may also define a direction of forward travel. Longitudinal axis AL-ALMay or may not coincide with the centerline of the vehicle. The first side broom may be on axis AL-ALIs mounted to the vehicle and the second side broom may be on axis aL-ALIs mounted to the vehicle. Each of the brooms may include a drive motor configured for rotating its respective broom in a selected direction to sweep debris into an area generally between the two brooms. Additionally, each of the side brooms may be mounted on a carrier structure and may be movable back and forth between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be further movable between a raised or "travel" position engaging the surface to be cleaned and a lowered position. May be in the longitudinal axis AL-ALIs provided with a first debris intake port on a first side for drawing debris from a surface being cleaned,and may be on the longitudinal axis aL-ALIs provided with a second debris intake opening also for drawing debris from the surface being cleaned. In certain embodiments, the first and second debris intake openings may be in the longitudinal axis a instead of or in addition to the first and second debris intake openingsL-ALA debris intake is provided at or near the surface for drawing debris from the surface being cleaned.
In certain embodiments, a motor driven fan may be provided to generate and direct an air flow through one or the other or both of the debris suction inlets into a debris hopper where debris may be separated from the air flow. Each debris intake may be operatively associated with a valve arrangement selectively operable to substantially halt or stop the flow of air therethrough and substantially open the flow of air therethrough for receiving debris.
In certain embodiments, a cluster or array of at least three material transfer brooms may be arranged in a transfer broom array, which may include a primary, leading, or tip material transfer broom having a motor for rotating the brooms in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction. Two secondary or trailing material transfer brooms may be positioned at the rear of the primary material transfer broom. The secondary material transfer brooms may be laterally spaced from one another with one secondary material transfer broom positioned to brush debris to the longitudinal axis aL-ALAnd another secondary material transfer broom is positioned to brush debris to the longitudinal axis aL-ALTo the other side of the same. One of the secondary material transfer brooms may include a motor configured for rotating the associated material transfer broom in a first direction to brush debris toward one side of the vehicle, while the other secondary material transfer broom may include a motor configured for rotating its broom in an opposite direction to brush debris toward the other side of the vehicle. Depending on the sweeping mode, the main or leading material transfer broom may be rotatable in the direction to be lifted thereto by the side broomAll or part of the supplied debris or debris on the surface being swept is diverted to one of the trailing material transfer brooms for transfer toward and pickup by one of the suction ports, or the leading or leading material transfer broom may be rotatable in an opposite rotational direction that diverts all or part of the debris supplied thereto by the side broom or debris on the surface being swept toward another secondary material transfer broom to transfer the debris to another suction port.
In a first operating state or mode of operation (sometimes referred to herein as a "right side sweep" mode), the first side broom may be positioned in its inward or retracted position and the second side broom may be positioned in its extended or outward position. Each of the side brooms may be rotated by its respective motor to sweep debris into an area defined between the side brooms, which may form a respective pile of debris depending on the type of debris being swept. As used herein, the pile of debris may be the collection of any debris that remains on the road after the sweeping action of the broom, and the pile of debris may or may not take the form of a row or other defined shape. In this first mode of operation, the valve means associated with the first debris intake opening may be in its substantially closed position to substantially block or close the flow of air into it, and the valve means associated with the second debris intake opening may be in its substantially open position. The second suction inlet may be positioned to receive a pile of debris created by the second side broom in its extended position. The air and any debris entrained therein may be entrained into or drawn into the second debris intake and through the second debris intake for transfer to a debris hopper where the debris may be substantially separated from the airflow. The pile of debris formed by the first side broom may be intercepted by a primary material transfer broom that may rotate in a direction that transfers at least a portion of the debris into a path of a second material transfer broom for transfer to a second suction inlet where the debris may be sucked into the vehicle as it moves in its direction of travel.
In a second operating state or mode of operation (sometimes referred to herein as a "left side sweeping" mode), the first side broom may be positioned in its extended or outward position and the second side broom may be positioned in its retracted or inward position, wherein each side broom is rotated by its respective motor to sweep debris into the area defined between the side brooms. The first side broom may be rotated to brush debris to form a pile of debris material that may be aligned with the first suction port for pickup therein as the sweeper vehicle moves in its direction of travel. The primary material transfer broom may be rotated in a direction to sweep debris provided by the second side broom toward the first secondary material transfer broom, which in turn may be rotated to transfer the debris toward the first debris suction opening. In this second mode of operation, the valve arrangement associated with the first debris intake opening may be in its substantially open position and the valve arrangement associated with the second debris intake opening may be in its substantially closed position to substantially block airflow thereinto. The air and any debris entrained therein may be drawn into and through the first debris intake for transfer into a debris hopper where the debris may be substantially separated from the air flow.
In a third mode of operation (sometimes referred to herein as a "full-sweep" mode), the first and second side brooms may be in their respective extended or outward positions and may be rotated by their respective motors to sweep debris into the area between the side brooms. The first side broom may be rotated to sweep debris in a direction forming a pile of debris material that may be aligned with the first suction port for pickup thereby, and the second side broom may be rotated in a direction forming a second pile of debris material that may be aligned with the second suction port for pickup thereby. The main material transfer broom may rotate in a direction that sweeps the debris provided by the side broom toward the first trailing material transfer broom or the second trailing material transfer broom. The first trailing material transfer broom may rotate in a direction sweeping debris toward the first suction port for pickup therein, and the second trailing material transfer broom may rotate in a direction sweeping debris toward the second suction port for pickup therein. In this third mode of operation, both the valve arrangement associated with the first debris intake and the valve arrangement associated with the second debris intake may be in their substantially open positions such that air and any debris entrained therein may be drawn into and through the first and second debris intakes for transfer into a debris hopper where debris may be substantially separated from the airflow. Thus, in certain embodiments, this mode may be referred to as a "double sweep" or "double nozzle sweep" mode. Although the primary material transfer broom may be described as rotating in the direction of transferring material to the second secondary material transfer broom, rotation of the primary material transfer broom in the opposite direction may be equally applicable.
The fan may optionally be provided with a particulate recovery and recirculation/capture system by which a portion of the air flow having relatively heavier particles in the fan may be diverted therefrom to a discharge conduit for discharge directly in front of one of the suction inlets (e.g. the first or second suction inlet) to introduce or re-introduce the relatively heavier particles into the suction inlet to increase the likelihood that such recirculated particles will ultimately be retained in the debris collection hopper. If desired, the discharge conduit may be positioned to discharge debris onto the road in a location that minimizes the degree of re-introduction of particles into the suction inlet.
If desired, the material transfer brooms may be mounted such that each broom may be inclined at a small angle (e.g., between about 1 to 6 degrees) to create an arcuate "contact patch" to scrub and remove the collection or clumping of attached debris from the road being swept by the enhanced or more aggressive brushing action.
In some implementationsIn the example, the material-transferring broom is such that it can be about an approximately or slightly vertical axis (A)V) A rotating sense may be characterized as a vertical broom. The descriptive phrase approximately or slightly vertical axis indicates that the axis of rotation may be vertical or offset from vertical by the angle of inclination of the broom, and may also vary over time as the broom rides various undulations, deviations and inclinations of the road during sweeping.
In a variation of the above-described broom array, the broom array may include five material transfer brooms including a primary, leading or tip material transfer broom having a motor for rotating the primary broom in a first direction or a second direction. Two secondary or trailing material transfer brooms may be positioned at the rear of the primary broom, the secondary material transfer brooms being laterally spaced from each other, with one secondary material transfer broom positioned to brush debris substantially to one side of the longitudinal axis and the other secondary material transfer broom positioned to brush debris substantially to the other side of the longitudinal axis. One of the secondary material transfer brooms may include a motor configured to rotate the associated material transfer broom in a first direction to brush debris toward a first side of the vehicle, while the other secondary material transfer broom may include a motor configured to rotate its broom in an opposite direction to brush debris toward the other side of the vehicle. Additionally, a set of intermediate material transfer brooms may be positioned at a rear of the primary material transfer broom and in front of the secondary material transfer broom, wherein each intermediate transfer broom has a motor configured for rotating its broom in a first direction or a second direction.
Depending on the sweeping mode, the primary or leading material transfer broom may be rotatable in such a direction, i.e. the direction in which a portion of the chips supplied to it by the side brooms is transferred to one of the intermediate material-transferring brooms for transfer to one of the secondary material-transferring brooms, and thereby divert debris to a location along a path intercepted by the intake openings as the vehicle travels in the direction of travel, for pickup by one of the intake openings, or the primary or leading material transfer broom may be rotatable in the opposite rotational direction, the opposite rotational direction being the transfer of the chips supplied thereto by the side brooms to another intermediate material transfer broom and subsequently to the secondary material transfer broom, and thereby divert debris to a location along a path intercepted by the other intake opening as the vehicle travels in its direction of travel for pickup by the other one of the intake openings.
In yet another variant, only a single primary broom may be provided, which may be selectively rotatable in a first direction or a second direction. In a first mode of operation, the main broom may be rotated in a first direction to divert debris presented by the first side broom and the second side broom as a pile along a path that may be intercepted by the first suction port for suction thereto as the vehicle travels along its direction of travel. In a second mode of operation, the main broom may be rotated in a second direction to deposit the debris material presented by the first side broom and the second side broom as a windrow along a path that may be intercepted by another suction opening for suction thereto as the vehicle travels along its direction of travel.
In yet another variation, the swing arm assembly may include a first secondary material transfer broom or first and second secondary material transfer brooms that cooperate with the primary broom. The swing arm assembly may be moved to a first position in which the one or more brooms on the swing arm assembly function as one or more trailing material transfer brooms to direct debris toward one of the suction ports, or to a second position in which the one or more brooms on the swing arm assembly function as one or more trailing material transfer brooms to direct debris toward the other of the suction ports.
In view of this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various features described herein may improve street cleaning, either alone or in combination with one another. For example, the material transfer broom may be a single unit, configured in an array, rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise, pivotable on an arm, tiltable to form a contact patch, configured as a tip broom, configured as a tail broom, retractable into various sizes and shapes of travel positions, and controlled manually or automatically. Similarly, the broom may be extendable and retractable, rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, rotatable clockwise or counterclockwise, tiltable to form a contact patch, retractable into various sizes and shapes of travel positions, and controlled manually or automatically. In addition, the suction inlet for entraining debris can be single or multiple, can be placed in various positions relative to the broom, can be opened and closed in a manner that allows for stronger drag in a given suction inlet, can be used in conjunction with water sprays, and can be used with a particulate recirculation and recovery system. In addition, the controller may provide the ability to set and adjust the sweeping pattern to optimize the use of the broom and suction inlet for a selected environment, including left side sweeping, right side sweeping, arched road sweeping, and full sweeping. Moreover, the various operating modes may be defined in terms of broom placement, broom operation, broom orientation and broom rotation direction, and suction inlet placement and suction inlet operation for any combination of brooms, separately or in combination with one or more of the broom features described above. Further, while the vehicle direction of travel is shown as a forward direction of travel, in certain embodiments, the direction of travel may be reversed, and the various components described herein (e.g., the broom and suction inlet) may be reversed relative to the front and rear ends of the vehicle, in order to achieve the same or similar purpose in the rearward direction of travel. Other advantages will also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure.
Drawings
FIG. 1 is a right side view of an exemplary sweeper vehicle;
FIG. 2 is a bottom or underside view of the sweeper vehicle of FIG. 1 showing the debris engaging member including the side broom in the extended position on the right side and the side broom in the retracted position on the left side;
FIG. 3 is a top or plan view of the broom showing the actuator for moving the broom between the extended and retracted positions and another actuator for raising the broom to a raised travel position and lowering the broom to a surface engaging position;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the broom shown in FIG. 3 showing the tilt cylinders;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the tilt cylinder, with selected structures omitted for clarity;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary material transfer broom;
FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view of a turnbuckle for manually controlling the inclination of the material transfer broom;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an air flow system including a centrifugal fan and a suction inlet or pickup head on either side thereof;
FIG. 9 is a side view of the centrifugal fan shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the airflow control valve;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the fan and entrained particle recovery and recirculation/capture system shown in FIGS. 8 and 9;
FIG. 12 is a detailed perspective view of an airflow diverter or scoop for diverting a portion of the air flow in the fan;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the fan adjacent the outlet showing placement of the airflow diverter or scoop of FIG. 12 in operation;
FIG. 14 is a top view of the various brooms shown in FIG. 2 positioned for a first sweeping mode;
FIG. 15 is a top view of the various brooms shown in FIG. 2 positioned for a second sweeping mode;
FIG. 16 is a top view of the various brooms shown in FIG. 2 positioned for a third cleaning mode;
FIG. 17 is an operational state or flow diagram for arranging the organization of the broom shown in FIG. 2 for a travel mode of operation, the first mode of operation shown in FIG. 14, the second mode of operation shown in FIG. 15, and the third mode of operation shown in FIG. 16;
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a variation of the five brooms including a pair of intermediate brooms positioned between the tip or leading broom and the trailing broom;
FIG. 19 is a top view of the various brooms shown in FIG. 18 positioned for a first sweeping mode;
FIG. 20 is a top view of the various brooms shown in FIG. 18 positioned for a second sweeping mode;
FIG. 21 is a top view of the various brooms shown in FIG. 18 positioned for a third cleaning mode;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a single transfer broom variation;
FIG. 23 is a top view of the two side brooms and the single transfer broom variation of FIG. 22 in a first sweeping mode;
FIG. 24 is a top view of the two side brooms and the single transfer broom variation of FIG. 22 in a second sweeping mode;
FIG. 25 is a top or plan view of a single broom swing arm broom assembly;
FIG. 26 is a side view of the single broom swing arm broom assembly of FIG. 25;
FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the single broom swing arm broom assembly of FIG. 25;
FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the single broom swing arm broom assembly of FIG. 25;
FIG. 29 is a top view of a first sweeping mode for a sweeper employing the single broom swing arm broom assembly of FIGS. 25-28;
FIG. 30 is a top view of a second mode of sweeping for a sweeper employing the single broom swing arm broom assembly of FIGS. 25-28;
FIG. 31 is an operational state or flow diagram of the organization for arranging the broom shown in FIGS. 29 and 30;
FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the swing arm broom assembly of FIGS. 25-28 with a second broom mounted to the swing arm;
FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the multi-broom swing arm broom assembly of FIG. 32 with selected components shown in an exploded view;
FIG. 34 is a top view of a first sweeping mode for a sweeper employing the multi-broom swing arm broom assembly of FIG. 32; and
FIG. 35 is a top view of a second mode of sweeping for a sweeper employing the multi-broom swing arm broom assembly of FIG. 32.
Detailed Description
An exemplary road sweeper vehicle is shown in the right side view of FIG. 1 and from the bottom side in FIG. 2 and is indicated by
In certain embodiments, the three
In some embodiments,
In certain embodiments,
As will be explained below, the various brooms may operate in a number of different modes to sweep the path of debris toward the
As shown in fig. 1, the major components of the
Generally, pressurized air may be preferred for fluid actuators where a measure of elasticity may be desired; for example, in certain embodiments, the fluid actuator used to control the material transfer broom is preferably pneumatic, such that the broom may be raised to and lowered from a "travel" position as the sweeper vehicle moves in its direction of travel DT and allows the broom to move up and down as the broom "rides" or follows the various undulations, deviations, and inclinations in the surface being swept. While suitable, pressurized hydraulic fluid may be less preferred in certain embodiments, as communication with a hydraulic line may require a more complex and more expensive compression fluid chamber.
A
The
An example broom (which may also be referred to as a gutter broom in some embodiments) is shown in fig. 3-5, and may include a mounting
As shown in the view of fig. 4 and in the detail of fig. 5, a bi-directional fluid tilt control cylinder TC (typically hydraulic, but may be of any suitable type) may include an extendable/
As shown in fig. 6, each material transfer broom may include a mounting
A
Generally, in some embodiments, it may be preferred that the broom be inclined at an oblique angle relative to the surface being swept, so that an arcuate "contact patch" may be created to provide a more positive brushing effect. To this end, the tilt-axis bushing may provide a
As shown in fig. 6, the trailing
The organization of the material transfer broom described above may provide many efficiency-enhancing benefits to the overall sweeper. By adjusting the air pressure in each pneumatic actuator, the respective broom can resiliently "ride" on the undulating road surface and closely follow the various deviations and inclines as the sweeper vehicle moves in its direction of travel. The pneumatic pressure can be reduced as needed to provide a more positive sweeping action. In certain embodiments, with an array of three brooms as described above, a road having a coronal central area may be efficiently swept in a manner superior to that provided by a classic cylindrical tubular broom rotating about a substantially horizontal axis. Additionally, the angle of inclination may be adjusted so that the material transfer broom may function as an "excavator" broom in addition to providing its material transfer function to polar wipe or scrub compacted adhesive accumulations or clumps of debris from the road surface area.
In certain embodiments, for example, with the "excavator" function, the approximate range of inclination angles for enhanced (i.e., more aggressive) sweeping for both the broom and the material transfer/wiping broom may be between about 3 degrees and 8 degrees relative to the surface being swept, most notably between about 5 and 8 degrees. Of course, other suitable ranges of tilt angles may be used. In certain embodiments, the upper limit for the angle of inclination may be determined empirically based on experience observing removal rates of compacted adhesive aggregates or agglomerations of debris from the road surface. Alternatively, the tilt angle may be set and adjusted manually or automatically, e.g. by a computer or by a combination thereof.
To maximize cleaning aggressiveness, particularly with respect to the removal of "tamped" or compressed adhesive agglomerates or clumps of debris on the surface being cleaned, in certain embodiments it may be preferred that the bristles of all brushes be made of an elastomeric steel alloy formed into wire or flat ribbon segments, which may be conventionally bent into a U-shape and assembled into bristle modules or segments. However, for those environments where steel bristles are not required, conventional plastic bristles, such as polyurethane, polypropylene or polyamide, may be suitable. Of course, any suitable material may be used for the bristles.
A partial perspective view of the
The suction inlet or pick-up
As shown in the exploded perspective view of fig. 10, the
The particle recirculation and
As shown in fig. 12, an airflow diverter or scoop, generally indicated at 190, may be pivotally mounted at an
As shown in fig. 12 and 13, the
Reversing the direction indicated by the dashed line in fig. 13 can slow the velocity of the entrained particulate (as can the bends in the
Generally, a range of particle sizes and weights may enter the
For centrifugal fans, the centrifugal forces exerted on the particles may cause relatively heavy entrained particles to concentrate in a layer or layer of airflow adjacent or adjacent to the outermost wall of the
Fig. 14, 15 and 16 are top plan views of the side brooms 22 and 24 and the
In each of fig. 14, 15 and 16, the longitudinal axis aL-ALMay be generally aligned with the center of main or leading
FIG. 14 illustrates a first sweeping operating state or mode, which is sometimes referred to as a "right sweeping" mode, wherein
As the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel DT, the pile of debris from the
In the operating state of fig. 14, as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel DT, a sweeping bar may be defined on the left at 10 and on the right at 12, in which sweeping debris is brushed to the right to form a pile of debris which may be positioned for entrainment into the
In some embodiments, the pattern shown in fig. 14 may be the one best suited for cleaning the right curb and gutter area of a street or road.
As shown in FIG. 15, in a second sweeping operating state or mode, sometimes referred to as a "left sweeping" mode,
In the operating state or mode of fig. 15, as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel DT, a sweeping bar may be defined at 10 on the left side and 12 on the right side in which swept debris is brushed to form a pile of debris which may be positioned for entrainment or suction into a
In some embodiments, the pattern shown in fig. 15 may be the one best suited for cleaning the left curb and gutter area of a street or road.
FIG. 16 illustrates a third cleaning operational state or mode, which is sometimes referred to as a "full-sweep" mode, wherein
As the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel DT, debris swept by the first and second side brooms 22, 24 may accumulate in the general area therebetween, which includes the corresponding pile for the
In some embodiments, the mode of operation of fig. 16 may be most suitable for use with relatively narrow streets or driveways in which the outermost edges of
The choice of the direction of rotation of the main
When the vehicle is in its fig. 16 "full-sweep" mode and is moving in the direction of travel DT, the primary material-transferring broom and the first and second spaced secondary material-transferring brooms may provide overlapping sweeping strips that are well-suited for sweeping a "crowned" central portion of a road surface with the topology of the central portion of the material-transferring broom "riding" road and various inclines, deviations and undulations of the road. In certain embodiments, the primary material transfer broom and the first and second spaced secondary material transfer brooms may provide a sweeping/wiping function that may be superior to a horizontally mounted cylindrical tubular broom.
In certain embodiments, the above-described systems may operate under the supervision of a suitably programmed controller, which may take the form of one or more stored-program-controlled (e.g., firmware and/or software) microprocessors or microcomputers (as well as general-purpose or special-purpose computers or processors, including RISC processors), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs), discrete logic or analog circuits, and associated non-volatile and volatile memory and/or combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, a commercially available programmable motion controller available under the part name CR0234, IFM Efector, Inc. from Malven PA, and an associated key/display under the part name CR1081 may be used. Of course, any suitable controller may be used.
As shown in fig. 17, in some embodiments, the
In the case where operating state or
In the case where the FIG. 15 operating state or
In the case where operating state or
With the "travel"
In FIG. 17, the command flow paths for
Fig. 18 is a perspective view of material
As shown in fig. 18, trailing
The bi-directional
In fig. 18, drive motor 374 (shown for material transfer broom 30) is not shown for
The
In a similar manner, intermediate material transfer broom 30-1 and intermediate material transfer broom 28-1 may be directly or indirectly connected to the chassis of the sweeper vehicle via
Each mounting
Fig. 19, 20, and 21 are top or plan views of
As in the case of fig. 14, 15 and 16, fig. 19, 20 and 21 include a longitudinal axis aL-ALSaid longitudinal axis AL-ALMay be generally aligned with the center of main or tip
FIG. 19 illustrates a first sweeping operating state or mode, sometimes referred to as a "right sweeping" mode and corresponding in operation to FIG. 14 described above, wherein
As the vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the main or top
In some embodiments, the pattern shown in fig. 19 may be the one best suited for cleaning the right curb and gutter area of a street or road.
FIG. 20 illustrates a second sweeping operating state or mode, sometimes referred to as a "left side sweeping" mode and corresponding in operation to FIG. 15 described above, wherein
In some embodiments, the pattern shown in fig. 20 may be the one best suited for cleaning the left curb and gutter area of a street or road.
FIG. 21 illustrates a third cleaning operational state or mode, which is sometimes referred to as a "full-sweep" mode, wherein
As the sweeper vehicle moves along its direction of travel DT, debris swept by
In certain embodiments, the mode of operation of fig. 21 may be most suitable for use with relatively narrow streets or driveways, wherein the outermost edges of
As shown in fig. 21, the selection of the direction of rotation of the main
When the vehicle is in its fig. 21 "full-sweep" mode and is moving in the direction of travel DT, the primary
In certain embodiments, the above-described systems may operate under the supervision of a suitably programmed controller, which may take the form of one or more stored-program-controlled (e.g., firmware and/or software) microprocessors or microcomputers (as well as general-purpose or special-purpose computers, including RISC processors), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Arrays (PLAs), discrete logic or analog circuits, and associated non-volatile and volatile memory and/or combinations thereof. For example, in some embodiments, a commercially available programmable motion controller available under the part name CR0234, IFM Efector, Inc. from Malven PA, and an associated key/display under the part name CR1081 may be used.
In the context of the broom arrangement using intermediate material transfer brooms 28-1 and 30-1 shown in fig. 19, 20, and 21, in certain embodiments,
In the above embodiments, depending on the operating state or mode, the leading
FIG. 22 shows
Mounting
Fig. 23 illustrates a first sweeping mode, sometimes referred to as a right sweeping mode, in which left
As the sweeper vehicle moves in its direction of travel DT, the clockwise
Fig. 24 illustrates a second sweeping operating state or mode, sometimes referred to as a left-side sweeping mode, wherein the
FIGS. 25-28 illustrate yet another variation of the disclosed sweeper vehicle system, including mounting for movement about axis A between a first position and a second positionXPivoting swing
As shown in fig. 25-28, the arm
As shown, a proximal or base end of the
The mounting
As can be appreciated, the
Fig. 29 and 30 illustrate first and second operating states or modes of use of the swing
In fig. 29, which functionally corresponds to fig. 14 and which exhibits a right side sweeping mode, swing
FIG. 31 is an operational flow diagram for arranging the organization of the brooms shown in FIGS. 25-28 and shows the operational steps for the right side sweep in
Fig. 32 and 33 illustrate a variation of the swing
In fig. 34, which functionally corresponds to fig. 14 and presents a right side sweeping mode, the swing
FIG. 35, which functionally corresponds to FIG. 15, presents a left side sweeping mode in which the swing
Alternative embodiments
Now, the following is a description of alternative embodiments set forth as terms:
1. a sweeper vehicle for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, the sweeper vehicle comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a direction of rotation to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom in a first rotational direction about an axis of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom in a second rotational direction about the axis of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
the primary material transfer broom is rotatable in a selected one of a first rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first secondary material transfer broom and a second rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second secondary material transfer broom.
2. The sweeper vehicle of
a processor storing program control for controlling the broom, the material transfer broom, and the airflow valve to organize the broom, the material transfer broom, and the airflow valve into at least two operating states.
3. The sweeper vehicle of
the first side broom is positioned at or near its retracted position and the second side broom is positioned at or near its extended position, both side brooms rotating in respective directions to sweep debris into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom; and
the primary material transfer broom and the second secondary material transfer broom are rotated to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet, the airflow valve operatively associated with the second suction inlet is substantially open, and the airflow valve operatively associated with the first suction inlet is substantially closed.
4. The sweeper vehicle of clause 3, wherein:
the first secondary material transfer broom moves to an elevated position out of engagement with the surface being swept.
5. The sweeper vehicle of
the first side broom is positioned at or near its extended position and the second side broom is positioned at or near its retracted position, both side brooms rotating in respective directions to sweep debris into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom; and
as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the primary material transfer broom and the first secondary material transfer broom are rotated to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port, the airflow valve operatively associated with the second suction port is substantially closed, and the airflow valve operatively associated with the first suction port is substantially open.
6. The sweeper vehicle of clause 5, wherein:
the second secondary material transfer broom is moved to the raised position out of engagement with the surface being swept.
7. The sweeper vehicle of
the first side broom and the second side broom are positioned at or near their respective extended positions and each side broom is rotated in a direction to sweep debris into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom, respectively;
the one of the secondary material transfer brooms and the primary material transfer broom rotate in the same direction to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the one of the first suction port and the second suction port and the other of the secondary material transfer brooms rotates in a direction to sweep debris in a direction for pickup by the other of the first suction port and the second suction port, the air flow valve operatively associated with the first suction port being substantially open and the air flow valve operatively associated with the second suction port being substantially open.
8. The sweeper vehicle of
a first intermediate material transfer broom mounted intermediate the main material transfer broom and the first secondary material transfer broom and operatively slaved to the first secondary material transfer broom for rotation in the same direction therewith, an
A second intermediate material transfer broom mounted intermediate the primary material transfer broom and the second secondary material transfer broom and operatively slaved to the second secondary material transfer broom for rotation in the same direction therewith.
9. The sweeper vehicle of
an air splitter for splitting a portion of the air flow from the outlet portion of the fan into the air flow conduit for discharge therefrom proximate a selected one of the first and second suction inlets such that at least a portion of the discharged air flow is directed into the selected suction inlet.
10. The sweeper vehicle of
an air splitter for splitting a portion of the air flow from the outlet portion of the fan into the air flow duct for discharge therefrom onto the surface being swept.
11. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a respective retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom, the first side broom being in its retracted position and the second side broom being in its extended position;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, the air flow valve for the second suction inlet being in its substantially open position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom in a selected one of a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom in at least a first rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom in at least a second rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the primary material transfer broom rotates in its second rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second secondary material transfer broom, which rotates in the rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second suction inlet for pickup therethrough.
12. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least first and second side brooms mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a respective retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first and second side brooms, the first side broom being in its extended position and the second side broom being in its retracted position;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, the air flow valve associated with the first suction inlet being in its substantially open position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a first direction and a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a second direction;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a first rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a second rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the primary material transfer broom rotates in its first rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first secondary material transfer broom, which rotates in the rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first suction port for pickup therethrough.
13. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least first and second side brooms mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between respective retracted and extended positions, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first and second side brooms, both side brooms being in their extended positions;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position, each air flow valve being in its substantially open position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a first direction and a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a second direction;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a first rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in at least a second rotational direction for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
the primary material transfer broom rotates in one of its first and second rotational directions to transfer at least a portion of the debris to one of the first and second secondary material transfer brooms;
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the first secondary material transfer broom rotates in a rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first suction port for pickup therethrough; and
as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel, the second secondary material transfer broom rotates in the direction of rotation to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second suction opening for pickup therethrough.
14. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a direction of rotation to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position; and
a main material transfer broom having a motor,
the primary material transfer broom motor is configured to rotate the primary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a first rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris swept by at least one of the first side broom and the second side broom in a direction toward the first suction port for pickup thereby when the valve associated with the first suction port is in its substantially open position,
and
the primary material transfer broom motor is configured to rotate the at least one material transfer broom about the axis in a second rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of the debris swept by the at least one of the first side broom and the second side broom in a second direction for pickup by the second suction inlet when the valve associated with the second suction inlet is in its substantially open position.
15. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a respective retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a rotational direction to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom, the first side broom being in its retracted position and the second side broom being in its extended position;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position; and
a material transfer broom having a motor for rotating the material transfer broom in a rotational direction about a rotational axis to sweep at least a portion of the debris into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet when a valve associated with the second suction inlet is in its substantially open position.
16. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a direction of rotation to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom, the first side broom being in its extended position and the second side broom being in its retracted position;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position; and
a material transfer broom having a motor for rotating the material transfer broom in a rotational direction about an axis of rotation to sweep at least a portion of the debris into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom in a direction for pickup by the first suction port when a valve associated with the first suction port is in its substantially open position.
17. A sweeper vehicle system for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a direction of rotation to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom;
a suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and another suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each of the suction inlets being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a first direction and a second direction of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a second direction;
a secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the secondary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation;
a pivotable support structure having a secondary material transfer broom mounted thereon and movable between a first position and a second position;
when the primary material transfer broom is rotated in its first rotational direction, the pivotable support structure is moved to its first position and the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its first rotational direction to brush debris provided by the primary material transfer broom toward the first suction port for pickup thereby,
and
when the primary material transfer broom is rotated in its second rotational direction, the pivotable support structure is moved to its second position and the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its second rotational direction to brush debris provided by the primary material transfer broom toward the second suction opening for pickup thereby.
18. The sweeper vehicle system of clause 17, further comprising:
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom about a respective axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation, the second secondary material transfer broom being mounted on a pivotable support structure for movement between a first position and a second position,
in said first position, the secondary material transfer broom is positioned for brushing debris provided by the primary material transfer broom in a direction for pickup by the first suction port when the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its first rotational direction,
and is
In said second position, when the secondary material transfer broom is rotated in its second direction of rotation, the secondary material transfer broom is positioned for brushing debris provided by the primary material transfer broom in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet.
19. A sweeper vehicle having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first side broom;
a second side broom spaced apart from the first side broom; and
at least one material transfer broom arranged at the rear of said side broom with respect to said direction of travel;
wherein the side broom and the at least one material transfer broom are operable in a plurality of modes for sweeping debris on the roadway as the vehicle advances in the direction of travel.
20. The sweeper vehicle of clause 19, wherein:
each of the first side broom and the second side broom are configurable in an extended position and a retracted position; and is
At least one material-transferring broom is rotatable in two different directions.
21. The sweeper vehicle of
the first side broom is in the extended position;
the second side broom is in the retracted position; and is
At least one material transfer broom rotates in a first direction and is configured to receive debris from at least one of the side brooms.
22. The sweeper vehicle of
the first side broom is in the retracted position;
a second side broom in the extended position; and is
At least one material transfer broom rotates in a second direction and is configured to receive debris from at least one of the side brooms.
23. The sweeper vehicle of
the first side broom rotates along a first direction;
the second side broom rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction;
a first material transfer broom rotating in the first direction and configured to receive debris from at least one of the side brooms; and is
A second material transfer broom rotates in the first direction and is configured to receive debris from the first material transfer broom.
24. The sweeper vehicle of clause 23, wherein the first and second material transfer brooms are mounted to a swing arm pivotable about a substantially vertical axis.
25. The sweeper vehicle of clause 23, further comprising a third material transfer broom rotating in a first direction and configured to receive debris from the second material transfer broom.
26. The sweeper vehicle of clause 19, wherein the at least one material transfer broom is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis.
27. The sweeper vehicle of clause 19, further comprising at least one suction inlet, wherein the at least one material transfer broom is configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the at least one suction inlet.
28. The sweeper vehicle of clause 27, wherein the at least one suction inlet includes a first suction inlet and a second suction inlet spaced apart from the first suction inlet.
29. The sweeper vehicle of
a first mode in which one of the first and second suction ports is operable to suction debris and the other of the first and second suction ports is not operable to suction debris; and
a second mode in which both the first suction port and the second suction port are operable for suctioning debris.
30. The sweeper vehicle of clause 29, wherein:
the at least one material transfer broom comprises a plurality of material transfer brooms; and is
At least one of the plurality of material transfer brooms does not rotate in the first mode.
31. The sweeper vehicle of
32. The sweeper vehicle of clause 19, wherein the at least one material transfer broom is configured to sweep at least some of the debris onto a conveyor for transport into a debris hopper.
33. A sweeper having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first broom disposed proximate a first side of the vehicle;
a second broom disposed proximate a second side of the vehicle;
each of the first broom and the second broom is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and sweep debris from a respective side of the vehicle to an interior side; and
a third broom disposed rearward of the first broom and the second broom relative to the direction of travel and configured to receive at least some of the debris from at least one of the first broom and the second broom as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
the third broom is further configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and sweep at least some of the debris toward the at least one suction opening as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a scrap hopper; and
an air flow system comprising a fan operable to generate a flow of air sufficient to transport at least some of the debris from the at least one intake to the debris hopper.
34. The sweeper vehicle of clause 33, wherein the third broom is configured to rotate in a first direction in the first mode and the third broom is configured to rotate in a second direction in the second mode.
35. The sweeper vehicle of
wherein the first suction port is not operable in the first mode for suctioning debris and the first suction port is operable in the second mode for suctioning debris; and is
Wherein the second suction inlet is operable in the first mode for suctioning debris and the second suction inlet is not operable in the second mode for suctioning debris.
36. The sweeper vehicle of clause 35, wherein:
the first broom is configured in a first mode in a retracted position and the first broom is configured in a second mode in an extended position; and is
The second broom is configured in the extended position in the first mode and the second broom is configured in the retracted position in the second mode.
37. A sweeper vehicle having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first broom disposed proximate a first side of the vehicle;
a second broom disposed proximate a second side of the vehicle;
each of the first broom and the second broom is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and sweep debris from a respective side of the vehicle to an interior side;
a third broom disposed rearward of the first broom and the second broom relative to the direction of travel and configured to receive at least some of the debris from at least one of the first broom and the second broom as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a fourth broom disposed rearward of the third broom with respect to the direction of travel;
a fifth broom disposed rearward of the third broom with respect to the direction of travel;
each of the third, fourth, and fifth brooms is further configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis;
a first suction port arranged at a rear of the first broom with respect to a traveling direction;
a second suction opening arranged at the rear of the second broom with respect to the traveling direction;
a scrap hopper; and
an airflow system including a fan operable to generate an airflow sufficient to transport at least some of the debris from the second suction inlet to the debris hopper in the first mode and from the first suction inlet to the debris hopper in the second mode.
The third broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the fifth broom in the first mode, and the third broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the fourth broom in the second mode;
the fourth broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the first suction port in the second mode;
the fifth broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the second suction opening in the first mode.
38. The sweeper vehicle of clause 37, wherein the third broom, the fourth broom, and the fifth broom are arranged in a triple configuration.
39. The sweeper vehicle of
the fourth broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the first suction port;
the fifth broom is further configured to sweep at least some of the debris toward the second suction opening; and is
The fan is operable to generate an airflow sufficient to transport at least some of the debris from the first suction port to the debris hopper and from the second suction port to the debris hopper.
40. The sweeper vehicle of clause 39, wherein, from a top plan view perspective, in a third mode:
the third broom is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction;
the fourth broom is configured to rotate in a counterclockwise direction; and is
The fifth broom is configured to rotate in a clockwise direction.
41. The sweeper vehicle of clause 37, further comprising:
a sixth broom intermediate the third broom and the fourth broom and configured to receive at least some of the debris from the third broom and sweep at least some of the debris toward the fourth broom in the second mode; and is
A seventh broom intermediate the third broom and the fifth broom and configured to receive at least some of the debris from the third broom and sweep at least some of the debris toward the fifth broom in the first mode.
42. A sweeper having a direction of travel, comprising:
a first broom and a second broom, the second broom being laterally spaced from the first broom relative to a direction of travel;
each of the first broom and the second broom are configured to sweep debris in an inward direction;
a third broom disposed rearward of the first broom and the second broom relative to the direction of travel and configured to receive at least some of the debris from at least one of the first broom and the second broom as the vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a fourth broom disposed rearward of the third broom with respect to the direction of travel and pivotable between a first position in the first mode and a second position in the second mode;
a first suction port arranged at a rear of the first broom with respect to a traveling direction;
a second suction opening arranged at the rear of the second broom with respect to the traveling direction;
a scrap hopper; and
an airflow system including a fan operable to generate an airflow sufficient to transport at least some of the debris from the second suction inlet to the debris hopper in the first mode and from the first suction inlet to the debris hopper in the second mode.
A fourth broom further configured to receive at least some of the debris from the third broom and sweep at least some of the debris toward the second suction opening in the first mode and sweep at least some of the debris toward the first suction opening in the second mode.
43. The sweeper vehicle of
a fifth broom intermediate the third broom and the fourth broom, the fifth broom configured to receive at least some of the debris from the third broom and sweep at least some of the debris toward the fourth broom.
44. The sweeper vehicle of clause 43, wherein each of the third broom, the fourth broom, and the fifth broom is configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis.
45. The sweeper vehicle of
46. The sweeper vehicle of
47. A sweeper vehicle for movement in a direction of travel to remove debris from a road surface being swept, the vehicle having a longitudinal axis defining a vehicle first side and a vehicle second side, the sweeper vehicle comprising:
at least a first side broom and a second side broom mounted to the vehicle, each side broom being movable between a retracted position and an extended position, each of the side brooms having a motor for rotating its respective side broom in a direction of rotation to sweep at least a portion of debris on a surface being swept into an area between the first side broom and the second side broom;
a first suction inlet at or adjacent a first side of the vehicle and a second suction inlet at or adjacent a second side of the vehicle, each suction inlet being connected to the debris hopper by a respective air flow valve, each air flow valve being operable between a substantially open position and a substantially closed position;
a fan for creating an air flow through at least one of the suction inlets and the debris hopper when a valve associated with the at least one suction inlet is in its substantially open position;
a primary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the primary material transfer broom about an axis of rotation in a selected one of a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation;
a first secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the first secondary material transfer broom in a first rotational direction about an axis of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the first suction port as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
a second secondary material transfer broom having a respective motor for rotating the second secondary material transfer broom in a second rotational direction about the axis of rotation for transferring at least a portion of the debris in a direction for pickup by the second suction inlet as the sweeper vehicle moves in the direction of travel;
the primary material transfer broom is rotatable in a selected one of a first rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the first secondary material transfer broom and a second rotational direction to transfer at least a portion of the debris to the second secondary material transfer broom;
the primary material transfer broom is positioned with its axis of rotation on or adjacent to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
the first secondary material transfer broom is positioned with its axis of rotation offset from the longitudinal axis on the first side of the vehicle by a first selected distance such that the first secondary material transfer broom receives at least a portion of the debris swept thereto by the primary material transfer broom as the primary material transfer broom rotates in its first rotational direction;
the second secondary material transfer broom is positioned with its axis of rotation offset from the longitudinal axis on the second side of the vehicle by a second selected distance such that the second secondary material transfer broom receives at least a portion of the debris swept thereto by the primary material transfer broom as the primary material transfer broom rotates in its second direction of rotation.
48. The sweeper vehicle of any one of
49. The sweeper vehicle of any one of
50. The sweeper vehicle of any one of
51. The sweeper vehicle of any one of
52. The sweeper vehicle according to any one of
53. The sweeper vehicle of any one of
54. The sweeper vehicle of any one of
55. The sweeper vehicle according to any one of
56. The sweeper vehicle of any one of
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. Any feature described with respect to one embodiment may be used, inter alia, in any other embodiment, and any feature described herein may be used alone or in combination with other features. Additionally, unless the context indicates otherwise, it should be understood that when an element is described herein as being mounted to another element, such mounting can be directly without the intermediary element or indirectly with one or more intermediary elements. While the side brooms and the material transfer brooms are generally described herein as having a generally circular shape in plan or bottom view, such brooms may have any suitable shape (e.g., oval, polygonal, irregular, or combinations thereof). Similarly, while the side brooms and material transfer brooms are generally described herein as being configured to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, in certain embodiments, one or more of such brooms may be configured for another type of action, such as, for example, vibration, oscillation, reciprocation, random hover, or a combination thereof, instead of or in addition to rotation as described herein. Also, while the system described herein has been shown in the context of a vacuum sweeper, the features described herein may also be used in other types of sweepers. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, and other claims that may refer to the invention, in view of their equivalents, and is not limited to the specific examples described herein.
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