Cleaning apparatus and method for detecting the area to be cleaned covered by a cleaning apparatus

The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, comprising a handle and a holder fixed to the handle, wherein a mop is replaceably fixable to the holder, wherein the cleaning apparatus is equipped with a device for detecting the area covered by the cleaning apparatus. The invention further relates to a method for detecting the area to be cleaned covered by a cleaning apparatus.

DE 19537960 A1 discloses a cleaning apparatus which is equipped with a device for detecting the area covered by the cleaning apparatus. Therein, the area covered by the cleaning apparatus is detected using a friction wheel arranged on the mop plate of the cleaning apparatus. The friction wheel transmits rotational movements to a counting device, from which the area covered or a related value can eventually be derived. A zero setting device is assigned to the display device, but the counter is still reset manually.

In hygiene-sensitive areas, it is necessary to replace the mop fixed to the cleaning apparatus after every cleaning process. In particular when hospital rooms are cleaned, the mop is required to be replaced after a room is cleaned, so that a new mop is used for each room. This can prevent germs from being transferred from one room to another.

The mops used for the cleaning are generally stored pre-wetted in a mop bucket and, for cleaning, are removed from the mop bucket, fixed to the cleaning apparatus and used for cleaning a single room. After the cleaning, the mops are collected in a different container. For this purpose, the mops may for example be collected in a laundry net and sent for a machine wash at the end of the shift.

The extent of the pre-wetting is generally set by the cleaning staff, and is dependent on the type of mop, the floor to be cleaned, the cleaning solution used, and the desired amount of moisture getting on the floor, as well as potentially other criteria.

The area coverage achievable using a single mop can thus be determined and also reproducibly set by way of a dosing provision. The dosing provision includes details on the amount and concentration of the cleaning agent applied to the mop. Thus, it may for example be established that, for cleaning a floor provided with a hard surface, a mop can cover an area of 20 m ² Once the 20 m ² is covered using a single mop, it is necessary to replace the mop. Moreover, a mop is also replaced, if the cleaning of a room is complete.

The device for detecting the area covered by the cleaning apparatus makes it easier for the cleaning staff to detect when a mop fixed to the cleaning apparatus needs to be replaced. This is advantageous when large, open areas are cleaned, for which it is difficult to estimate the area covered. However, in this context, it is problematic that either the device continuously adds up the area covered by the cleaning apparatus or that it is necessary to reset the device manually. Operating errors may occur in both cases.

The object of the invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus which has a higher operating reliability, in particular when hygiene-sensitive areas are cleaned.

This object is achieved using the features of claim 1. The dependent claims refer to advantageous embodiments.

The cleaning apparatus according to the invention comprises a handle and a holder fixed to the handle, wherein a mop is replaceably fixable to the holder, wherein the cleaning apparatus is equipped with a device for detecting the area to be cleaned covered by the cleaning apparatus, wherein means are provided which detect the relative position and/or relative movement of the cleaning apparatus with respect to the area to be cleaned, wherein, using the relative position and/or relative movement detected by the means, it can be detected that the mop is being sent for replacement or for a rinsing process, and wherein the means thereupon automatically reset the area determined by the device.

Preferably, the means detect movement patterns which are typical of a wiping movement on the one hand and of a replacement process or rinsing process on the other hand. With a flat mop, for example, the wiping movement takes place in an undulating movement, wherein the flat mop is passed over the floor to be cleaned. In a typical wiping movement, the flat mop performs wiping movements following a horizontal eight. During a replacement process or rinsing process, the cleaning apparatus is spaced apart from the floor to be cleaned in such a way that a vertical movement component is added. The movement patterns thus differ from one another and the different movement patterns can be detected by the means. If the means detects that a wiping movement has been carried out and subsequently a replacement movement or rinsing movement, the means can automatically reset the area determined by the device. Thus, the means can detect the area determined by the device, if the means detect that the mop is being replaced or rinsed.

In a corresponding method, a cleaning apparatus comprises a handle and a holder fixed to the handle, wherein a mop is replaceably fixable to the holder, wherein the cleaning apparatus is equipped with a device for detecting the area to be cleaned covered by the cleaning apparatus, wherein means are provided which detect the relative position and/or relative movement of the cleaning apparatus, wherein, using the relative position and/or relative movement detected by the means, the means can detect that the mop is being sent for replacement or for a rinsing process, and wherein the means thereupon automatically reset the area determined by the device.

The means may comprise a sensor assigned to the cleaning apparatus. For this purpose, the cleaning apparatus may already be equipped with various sensors which are for detecting the area covered by the cleaning apparatus or possibly for communication. In both cases, it is unnecessary to provide a dedicated sensor for resetting. The already present sensors are rather used to detect when the mop is replaced. Accordingly, a cleaning apparatus can be equipped, in a cost-effective manner, with the additional functionality of resetting the device for detecting the area covered.

The sensor may detect positional data. A sensor of this type may for example be a gyroscope which detects positional changes in three dimensions. For example, a gyroscope detects the undulating wiping movement carried out during a cleaning process. Further, the sensor may also be formed as a proximity sensor which detects the distance of the cleaning apparatus from the floor to be cleaned. Accordingly, the data captured by a proximity sensor are also to be understood as positional data.

The sensor may also be formed as an acceleration sensor. This detects changes in velocity in three dimensions.

Positional data may also be determined by an air pressure sensor. Using air pressure sensors, it is possible to determine the vertical position of the cleaning apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to detect whether the cleaning apparatus is being lifted upwards to change the mop. In this case, lifting the cleaning apparatus may trigger resetting of the area detected by the device.

Positional data may also be detected by communication means. For example, it is possible to determine the position of the cleaning apparatus by triangulation. In this context, it is conceivable for the cleaning apparatus to be equipped with communication means which can communicate with a wireless network. In this connection, it is conceivable to undertake localisation via the wireless network. Position determination of this type is also known as wireless LAN-based localisation.

The means may comprise a computation unit which stores and evaluates the data captured by the sensors. For example, it is conceivable to form a movement profile of the cleaning apparatus using the values detected by acceleration and direction-of- rotation sensors. Using the movement profile, wiping movements can be distinguished from the movements connected to replacing the mop. Accordingly, if the cleaning apparatus carries out a movement which is part of replacing the mop, the device for detecting the area will be reset. During the cleaning process, the cleaning apparatus is generally guided in undulating movements on the floor. By contrast, for replacing the mop, the cleaning apparatus is spaced apart from the floor to be cleaned and no undulating movements are performed. This movement pattern can be detected by the means, and the resetting of the device can be triggered.

The sensor may have an optical operating principle. In this context, the sensor may for example be set up to detect light/dark changes. In this context, the sensor may be arranged on the holder in such a way that it is covered by the mop during the mopping process. When the mop is replaced, the sensor is briefly exposed, and this is accompanied by a change in brightness, which can in turn be detected by the sensor.

Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the sensor to be formed as a camera which detects environmental data. These data can be evaluated in a computation unit, wherein areas, lines and objects can be detected by the camera and related to one another. From these data, it is possible to determine distances relative to the camera. It is further conceivable to use photographic parameters such as depth of field and the like for the distance determination.

The holder of the cleaning apparatus may be provided with a device for replacing the mop. The device may for example be formed by an ejection lever, by means of which a plate-shaped holder can be unlocked in such a way that it folds together. A sensor which detects actuation of the device may be assigned to the device. It can thus be signalled that the mop is being replaced.

The cleaning apparatus may be assigned to a cleaning trolley, wherein a means is arranged on the cleaning trolley. In this context, the means may be formed in such a way that it detects when the cleaning apparatus is approaching the cleaning trolley. For this purpose, the cleaning apparatus may be provided with an identifier, for example an RFID chip. The means attached to the cleaning trolley detects the identifier attached to the cleaning apparatus when the cleaning apparatus approaches the cleaning trolley. The approach of the cleaning apparatus towards the cleaning trolley correlates to the replacement of the mop, for example when the mop is placed in a laundry net fixed to the cleaning trolley. Accordingly, the device for detecting the area covered by the cleaning apparatus can be reset when the means attached to the cleaning trolley detects the cleaning apparatus approaching the cleaning trolley.

The holder may be formed as a mop plate. A flat mop may be fixed to the mop plate. Cleaning apparatuses of this type have a high surface coverage and make hygienic cleaning possible. The area coverage is increased, if the mop plate is formed pivotable, wherein the two main faces are pivotable in the direction of the floor to be cleaned. In this case, a pouch-shaped mop which covers both main faces of the mop plate can be pulled over the mop plate.

The means may have a signalling device. If the cleaning work is started using the cleaning apparatus, the device detects the area covered by the cleaning apparatus. If the detected area reaches the maximum area predetermined for a mop, there will be a signal to change the mop. In the case of a swivel-mounted mop plate, there may be a first signal to change the mopping face and subsequently a second signal to replace the mop. For this purpose, the signalling device may for example be in the form of a traffic light, with a green signal signalling that the cleaning can be continued, possibly a yellow signal signalling that the mop face is to be changed, and a red signal signalling that the mop is to be replaced. The signalling device may also be equipped to output acoustic signals or even haptic signals.

The mop may be provided with means. In this connection, it is particularly advantageous for the mop to be equipped with an identification tag. The cleaning apparatus or the cleaning trolley can thus detect the currently used mop.

The means may also comprise a switch or button, the device for detecting the area covered being reset by actuating the switch or button. Preferably, the switch or button is provided in addition to a further means in such a way that, if automatic resetting does not take place as a result of faulty sensing, the switch or button can be actuated manually. Some embodiments of the cleaning apparatus according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in greater detail with reference to the figures. These show, in each case schematically:

Fig. 1 a cleaning apparatus;

Fig. 2 a cleaning process.

Figure 1 shows a cleaning apparatus 1 comprising a handle 2 and a holder 3 fixed to the handle 2, wherein the holder 3 is in the form of a mop plate. A mop 4 is replaceably fixed to the holder 3. The cleaning apparatus 1 is equipped with a device 5 for detecting the area to be cleaned covered by the cleaning apparatus 1. The device 5 comprises a display device in the form of a digital display which shows the cleaner the area to be cleaned covered by the mop 4. For simpler understanding, the area covered is displayed in the form of a coloured bar chart.

To detect the area to be cleaned covered by the cleaning apparatus 1 , the device 5 is equipped with sensors suitable for detecting typical wiping movements. Acceleration sensors and position sensors in the form of gyroscopes are used for this purpose in particular.

In the present embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 1 is formed as a flat mop and, for cleaning, the mop 4 is passed over the floor in undulating movements, for example in movements following a horizontal eight. The sensors of the device 5 detect the area covered, and the area covered is shown on the display of the device 5.

Further, the device 5 is set up to store the area covered by the mop 4. The device 5 is further provided with communication means to transmit the area covered by the mop 4 to other devices, for example to a monitoring system.

Depending on the mop 4, the cleaning fluid used and the floor to be cleaned, a maximum area coverage of the mop 4 is established. In the present embodiment, the mop 4 covers both main faces of the holder 3, a maximum area coverage being assigned to each wiping face. If the current cleaning process reaches the maximum area, it is signalled to the cleaner either that the other, still unused mopping face is to be brought into contact with the floor to be cleaned or that the mop 4 is to be rinsed or replaced.

To bring the other mopping face of the mop 4 into contact with the floor to be cleaned or for replacing or rinsing the mop 4, the cleaner lifts the cleaning apparatus 1 , wherein the cleaning apparatus 1 performs movements atypical of a cleaning process.

The cleaning apparatus 1 is equipped with means 6 which detect the relative position and relative movement of the cleaning apparatus 1 with respect to the area to be cleaned. It can thus be detected, using the relative position and relative movement detected by the means 6, that the mop 4 is being sent for replacement or a rinsing process, or that, in the present cleaning apparatus 1 , the other mopping face is being brought into engagement with the floor to be cleaned.

Once the means 6 detect that the mop 4 is being sent for replacement or rinsing, the means 6 automatically reset the area detected by the device 5. In the present embodiment, the cleaner can thus recognise that the mop 4 currently in engagement with the floor to be cleaned or the mop face currently in engagement with the floor to be cleaned can be used again to cover an entire predetermined cleaning area.

In the present cleaning apparatus 1, preferably, multicolour signalling is used. If there is an unused mop 4 on the cleaning apparatus 1, it is signalled by a green colour. If the bar chart signals that the maximum area coverage has been reached, the mop plate is pivoted, wherein the second mopping face of the mop 4 is brought into engagement with the floor to be cleaned. On the one hand, the area determined by the device 5 is automatically reset; on the other hand, the colour changes such that the mopping process and the area covered using the second mop face are signalled for example in yellow. If the second mop face also reaches the maximum area, on the one hand, this is displayed by the completely filled-up bar chart and, on the other hand, the signal colour may also change to red and thus signal to the cleaner that the mop 4 is to be replaced.

In the present embodiment, the means 6 are formed from the sensors which are part of the device 5. Accordingly, it is not necessary to provide additional sensors for the device 5 on the cleaning apparatus 1. As well as the sensors described above, it is also conceivable for sensors to be used which have an optical operating principle.

In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning apparatus 1 is assigned to a cleaning trolley. The cleaning trolley is equipped with means 6. When the cleaning apparatus 1 is brought into the proximity of the cleaning trolley to replace the mop 4, the means 6 detect this approach, and the means 6 can trigger the resetting of the device 5.

This may happen by way of wireless communication means, for example by way of near-field communication.

A particularly simple embodiment provides that manually actuable means 6 are provided. Further, the mop 4 may also be equipped with means 6.

As well as the above-described optical signalling, an acoustic signalling device is also conceivable.

Figure 2 schematically shows a cleaning process along with the detection of the area covered by a mop 4 and the replacement process of the mop 4.