Technical field This document describes a method and a cleaning device. More specifically a method and a cleaning device for cleaning of an escalator, a conveyor band or similar, during operation of the same, is described. Background

Escalators for example in a building are often used by

thousands of people which use them on a daily basis. The escalator is also often one of the first places a visitor arrives at the building, which is the reason why dust and slush from outside often is deposited on and sticks to the steps of the escalator. Furthermore, the escalator is often exposed to dirt which is unusually hard to remove in the form of chewing gum, pinched pebbles, glass fragments and similar. The escalator frequently becomes a breeding ground for

bacteria and micro organisms due to the high flow of users, why a fall in an escalator may give rise to slow healing injuries . In this document, if nothing else is mentioned in particular, the term escalator is used to denote also other forms of belt conveyors, walkways or conveyor belts which comprise a plurality of connected plates intended to transport a human or other cargo, irrespective of whether these comprise a step or not.

A dirty escalator is not only unpleasant to a visitor and a potential centre of infection; dirt may also lead to operational disturbance. Furthermore, the safety in the escalator may be jeopardized as a dirty and/or wet surface increases the risk for slip injuries. Furthermore, dust collection in relation to escalators constitutes a fire hazard.

During cleaning of an escalator or a conveyor belt with previously known cleaning equipment a number of problems arise. Such previously known cleaning equipment is frequently based on some form of rotating brush with limited capacity.

This makes the cleaning of an escalator time consuming and by that costly.

Another problem is to clean the joint or transition between two steps which constitutes the lateral surface of the step.

This lateral surface is sometimes denoted riser. With existing cleaning equipment it is often not possible, why cleaning personal has to clean these surfaces entirely or partly by hand, which is time consuming. If this surface is

insufficiently cleaned a traveller in the escalator may risk having his clothes, such as the low part of the trousers or skirt/dress and/or any bag soiled.

Furthermore, previously known cleaning equipment often

requires the escalator to be closed during the cleaning. This is of course a large inconvenience for travellers who may have a functional disorder or travel with heavy luggage. In order to reduce such a disturbance the cleaning and the with that associated closure of the escalator may have to be done on times when few travellers are in circulation, such as late at night. This is however impractical for the cleaner who then gets very inconvenient working hours. Solvents are sometimes used to dissolve ingrained dirt, oil and similar. Frequently the cleaner has to spray this solvent on by hand, which is time consuming. Furthermore, superfluous solvent and dissolved dirt have to be collected and wiped over. If this is done by hand the cleaning becomes very time consuming .

Another problem with previously known cleaning equipment for escalators is that this equipment often is very large and heavy. This makes it cumbersome, or maybe impossible for the cleaner to handle this equipment, maybe especially as this previously known cleaning equipment also requires the cleaning to be made when the escalator is closed. The equipment must then be moved up the escalator one step at a time during the cleaning process. Such heavy and unwieldy equipment may also comprise a work place hazard, as a serious accident may be the case if the cleaner loses control over the cleaning equipment, for example high up in an escalator. Furthermore, the side plate on an escalator often has an protruding edge with a protective plate. This protruding edge contributes to that previously known cleaning equipment, which is more or less block formed, does not reach the outermost part of the edge of the escalator step on each side. For that reason this must be cleaned by hand, which is time consuming and laborious .

Furthermore there exist previously known cleaning equipment which uses water or another liquid to clean the escalator and dissolve dirt. The problem with spraying water in the

escalator is that this must dry before the escalator may be used again due to the risk of slipping. This further prolongs the time the escalator has to stand still. Furthermore, an uncontrolled spraying with water may cause flooding and/or damages due to damp, for example in a space situated below the escalator. Water may also harm electronic components in the escalator .

It may be stated that much still has to be done to improve the cleaning of escalators and similar devices.

SUMMARY

It is therefore an objective of this invention to be able to solve at least one of the above described problems and to improve the method for cleaning of an escalator, a conveyor belt or similar with a cleaning device and by that achieve an improvement of a cleaning device.

According to a first aspect of the invention this objective is reached with a cleaning device for cleaning of an escalator, a conveyor belt or similar when this is in movement. The

cleaning device comprises at least one rotating brush for brushing dirt from a standing plate in the escalator.

Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one high pressure nozzle, connectable to a pressure tank comprising a liquid, pressurized with a pressure exceeding the surrounding atmospheric pressure, wherein the high pressure nozzle is arranged to spray the escalator with said liquid. Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one vacuum cleaner nozzle, connectable to a pump, to evacuate liquid through the vacuum cleaner nozzle.

According to a second aspect of the invention this objective is reached by a method in a cleaning device for cleaning of an escalator, a conveyor belt or similar when this is in motion. The method comprises spraying the escalator with liquid through a high pressure nozzle in the cleaning device.

Furthermore, the method comprises brushing a standing plate in the escalator with a rotating brush in the cleaning device. The method also comprises suction of liquid and dirt through a vacuum cleaner nozzle in the cleaning device.

By including a rotating brush, a high pressure nozzle and a vacuum cleaner nozzle and to coordinate the function between these, for example by measuring how much liquid that is sprayed out of the high pressure nozzle and how much liquid that is sucked up through the vacuum cleaner nozzle, it is possible to calculate and determine how much liquid that has been left in connection to the escalator and which has to be evacuated separately. Hereby, the amount of liquid that has to be evacuated is reduced, whereby the risk for damages due to damp is decreased. Additionally the cleaner becomes aware of how much liquid that remains in connection to the escalator and which has to be evacuated.

By also coordinating the control of spraying with the high pressure nozzle so that only the joint between two standing plates is sprayed with high pressure the amount of liquid that is used for cleaning in the escalator is reduced further, which further reduces the risk for damages due to damp and shortens the drying time of the escalator. In this way an improvement of the cleaning device is achieved.

Other advantages and further new features will be evident from the following detailed description. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the appended drawings, which

illustrate different embodiments:

Figure 1A illustrates the exterior of a cleaning device according to an embodiment .

Figure IB illustrates an example of an interior in a

cleaning device according to an embodiment .

Figure 2 illustrates a scenario with a cleaning device according to an embodiment, in an escalator.

Figure 3 is a flow chart which illustrates an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention comprises a method and a cleaning device, which may be realized according to some of the

examples described below. This invention may however be realized in many different forms and is not to be regarded as limited by the herein described embodiments, which instead are intended to illustrate and elucidate different aspects.

Further aspects and features of the invention may become clear from the following detailed description when it is considered in connection with the appended drawings. The drawings are however only to be viewed as examples on different embodiments of the invention and are not to be seen as limiting the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are, if nothing else is indicated, intended to

schematically illustrate aspects of the invention.

Figure 1A shows a cleaning device 100, arranged for cleaning of an escalator, a conveyor belt or similar. The cleaning device 100 comprises a protective cover 110 which encloses different members for cleaning such as one or more brushes, one or more high pressure nozzles and/or one or more vacuum cleaner nozzles according to different embodiments, which will be described in more detail in connection to the description of figure IB. In figure 1A a viewing screen 120 is also shown, here arranged at the handle, and a control unit 130. This control unit 130 may be placed in an arbitrary place in connection to the cleaning device 100. Figure IB shows schematically the cleaning device 100, seen from the side and in cross section. The cleaning device 100 comprises one, or more, high pressure nozzles 150, connectable to a pressure tank comprising a liquid, pressurized with a pressure above the surrounding atmospheric pressure. The high pressure nozzle 150 is arranged to spray the escalator with liquid, which may be constituted by for example water, solvent, a cleaner, water vapour, or a combination of these in different embodiments. By spraying the surface on the

escalator with liquid, dirt and similar, which has been stuck to the surface, may be dissolved, flushed away and then removed. In some embodiments the high pressure nozzle 150 may also be arranged to lead steam, such as water vapour against the standing plates in the escalator. In some embodiments the high pressure nozzle 150 may be attached with a hinge 157 in an attachment device 159 and a manoeuvring member 125 which enables an operator to change direction of the high pressure nozzle 150 from a position outside the protective cover 110. In this way the operator or the cleaner may direct the high pressure nozzle 150 between spraying the escalator or flushing a rotating brush. The control of the high pressure nozzle 150 may be performed by the cleaner by means of a control handle which is situated outside the protective cover 110. In some embodiments the control of the high pressure nozzle 150 may be performed from the handle of the cleaning device.

In this way, by enabling an uncomplicated and efficient method of cleaning the rotating brush or brushes, the probability that these are cleaned often, for example with regular intervals increases. Furthermore, the brushes may be cleaned without this taking any appreciable time from the cleaning work with the escalator. In this way, by the cleaning being made with clean brushes, a more efficient cleaning of the escalator may be performed. In the illustrated embodiment the cleaning device 100

comprises a first rotating brush 140-1 and a second rotating brush 140-2. In this example both of these rotating brushes 140 rotate towards each other, wherein the rotating movement will sweep up dirt, dust, liquid etc. on a respective belt conveyor 180-1, 180-2. The first belt conveyor 180-1 is driven by two driving wheels 190-1, 190-2 and the second belt conveyor 180-2 is driven by two drive wheels 190-3, 190-4. In this way these belt conveyors 180 will rotate so that dirt which has been swept up on them will be transported to a collection container 170. The belt conveyor 180 may be

comprised by a rubber mat or similar, which for example may comprise transverse strips to better catch dirt and dust.

The rotating brushes 140 may be provided with bristles, which through the friction which the rotational movement generates during contact with the surface, generates static electricity which attracts dust particles.

The cleaning device 100 also comprises one or more vacuum cleaner nozzles 160. The vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 is

connectable to a pump, in order to evacuate dirt, dust, liquid etc. through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160. The dirt which has been connected in the connection container 170 may thereby be sucked up and evacuated.

Furthermore, some embodiments of the cleaning device 100 also comprises a first measuring device 155, arranged to measure the amount of liquid which passes out through the high

pressure nozzle 150. The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a second measuring device 165 arranged to measure the amount of liquid which is sucked up through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160. In this way it is possible to calculate how much liquid that is left in the escalator by subtracting the amount of liquid which has been sucked up through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 from the amount of liquid which has been sprayed out through the high pressure nozzle 150. In this way the cleaner knows how much liquid that is left in connection to the escalator, which has to be sucked up or dried up

afterwards. In some embodiments the cleaning device 100 may comprise an alarm which alerts when the amount of outsprayed liquid is above a certain limit. These calculations of the amount of outsprayed liquid and/or amount of liquid in the escalator may be performed in the control unit 130.

Furthermore, the cleaning device 100 may comprise a laser based measuring device 135 arranged to detect where the joint between two standing plates in the escalator is situated. The laser based measuring device 135 may be connected to a control unit 130, arranged to calculate when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator in order to clean said joint, based on said detection made by the laser based measuring device 135. Such a laser based measuring device 135 may by directed downwards, towards said steel plates in the escalator and be arranged to measure the distance to the standing plate which is situated below the measuring device 135. When the distance to the surface exceeds the measured distance to the standing plate, or exceeds this with a certain limit value, this is interpreted as that a joint is situated there.

The control unit 130 may be arranged to calculate when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator and when the spraying is to be interrupted, and may also be arranged to produce a control signal to activate and deactivate,

respectively, the spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150 in some embodiments.

According to some embodiments the length of the escalator may be measured with the laser based measuring device 135, or another similar laser based measuring device. According to some embodiments this length may be measured by a laser based measuring device 135, arranged to measure the length of the escalator. In other embodiments the cleaner may measure the length of the escalator, or simply read the length of the escalator from a data sheet associated with the escalator and input this information so that it is made available to the control unit 130.

The control unit 130 may, according to some embodiments, then be arranged to determine, based on the measurement with the laser based measuring device 135, where a joint between two standing plates in the escalator is situated and activate the high pressure nozzle 150 so that this joint is sprayed with the liquid, after which the high pressure nozzle 150 is deactivated.

The laser based measuring device 135, or another similar laser based measuring device 135 may in some embodiments send a light signal, as for example a laser beam, towards the upper end of the escalator. Furthermore, the measuring device 135 may detect a reflex from the sent laser beam and in that way calculate the distance from the cleaning device 100 and the laser based measuring device 135 to the far end of the escalator. In some embodiments the measurement may be

performed by the high pressure nozzle 150 being placed on the same level as a joint between two standing plates in the escalator. In some embodiments the control unit 130 may then with help of measurement information from the laser based measuring device 135 calculate when each joint between two standing plates is on the same level as the high pressure nozzle 150 according to some embodiments. Furthermore, the control unit 130 in some embodiments may calculate when each joint returns by dividing the estimated length of the

escalator with an estimated length of the standing plate in the escalator. In some embodiments the cleaner may

alternatively measure and input the length of the standing plates in the escalator. In this way it becomes possible for the control unit 130 to calculate how long time the cleaning of the escalator will take, and/or decrement in time or number the remaining

standing plates in the escalator. This information may also be shown on the viewing screen 120. Furthermore, the viewing screen 120 may indicate for example when the escalator has rotated an entire revolution with the cleaning device 100 activated . By calculating where the joint between two standing plates is situated it is possible, according to some embodiments, to limit the high pressure spraying with liquid to only the joints. In this way the amount of liquid that is used may be reduced, which decreases the risk for flooding in underlying premises and also decreases the supplementary work in the form of drying of said liquid. In this way the working time as well as the drying time is decreased. Furthermore, the cost for solvents or cleaning agents is reduced in case that is used as an additive to the water, as is also the environmental load due to solvents/cleaning agents.

The cleaning device 100 may further comprise a detector 137 according to some embodiments, arranged to detect a marker 139 which may indicate when all joints and standing plates in the escalator have been cleaned. The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a control unit 130, arranged to interrupt the

spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150, when the detector 137 has detected said marker 139. The viewing screen 120 may in different embodiments be

arranged to show data comprising at least some of for example liquid flow through the high pressure nozzle 150, the amount of remaining liquid in connection to the standing plates of the escalator, the amount of outsprayed liquid, the amount of liquid that remains in the container, the number of

steps/standing plates in the escalator, the number of

remaining steps/standing plates to clean in the escalator, calculated consumption of liquid to clean the escalator and/or calculated time to clean the escalator, to only mention a few examples .

In this way the cleaner is given clear information about the progress of the cleaning process, how much water that has flown out in the escalator, how long time that is left and similar information.

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration over the cleaning device 100 in an escalator 200. The escalator 200 comprises a number of standing plates 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, 210-4, 210-5, 210-6, 210-7, 210-8, 210-9, which are separated by a number of joints 220-1, 220-2, 220-3, 220-4, 220-5, 220-6, 220-7, 220-8, 220-9. According to an embodiment the cleaner arranges the cleaning device 100 in the horizontal part of the escalator close to an end part of the escalator. According to some embodiments the escalator 200 is in operation during the cleaning. In this connection the cleaner activates the cleaning device 100 and allows the escalator to rotate a revolution. In some

embodiments the cleaning device is then, if necessary, moved in order to enable cleaning of the entire width of the

standing plates. In some embodiments the cleaning device 100 comprises a cleaning member 250, such as a brush and/or a high pressure nozzle 150, arranged on the one side of the cleaning device so that cleaning of the outermost edge of the escalator is enabled on this side. In this way cleaning of the entire width of the standing plates is enabled, even if the side of the escalator has an edge which protrudes out over the standing plates 210 of the escalator.

A common width of a standing plate 210 of an escalator is 120 cm. A suitable width on the cleaning device 100 and/or the protective cover 110 may be 60 cm, in order to enable cleaning of the escalator 200 in two revolutions, or 120 cm in order to enable cleaning of the escalator 200 in one revolution. In some cases the cleaning device 100 and/or the protective cover 110 may be 40 cm, which enables cleaning of the escalator 200 in three revolutions. A more narrow cleaning device 100 and/or protective cove 110 gives a more flexible and more easily handled cleaning device 100 while a wider cleaning device 100 and/or protective cover 110 enables a quicker cleaning of the escalator 200.

When the escalator 200 is cleaned during operation, the protective cover 110 fills an important function by preventing or at least reducing splashing from liquid, dust and dirt which otherwise may splash onto travellers riding the

escalator 200. Figure 4 illustrates an example of an embodiment of the invention. The flow chart in Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 in a cleaning device 100 for cleaning of an escalator 200, a conveyor belt or similar when this is in operation. The purpose of the method 300 is to better control the

cleaning device 100 in order to clean the escalator 200. In connection to the cleaning of the escalator commencing the cleaner may, according to some embodiments, attach a marker 139 on a standing plate 210 in the escalator 200. In this way the cleaner may easily determine when the escalator 200 has rotated a revolution and that the entire escalator thus has been cleaned according to the method 300.

Data related to the cleaning of the escalator 200 may

according to some embodiments be shown on a viewing screen 120 in connection to the cleaning device 100. Such data may comprise for example some of: liquid flow through the high pressure nozzle 150, the amount of remaining liquid in

connection to the escalator 200, the number of steps/standing plates 210 in the escalator 200, the number of cleaned

steps/standing plates 210 in the escalator 200, the number of remaining steps/standing plates 210 to clean in the escalator 200, calculated consumption of liquid to clean the escalator 200, calculated time consumption to clean the escalator 200, or similar.

In order to correctly be able to clean the escalator 200, the method 300 comprises a number of steps 301-311. It should however be observed that some of the here described steps are only comprised in some alternative embodiments of the

invention, as for example step 301-303, 305 and/or 308-311.

Furthermore, the described steps 301-311 may be performed in a somewhat different chronological order than what the numerical order suggests and that some of them may be performed

parallelly. The method 300 comprises the following steps:

Step 301

This method step may be performed in some, but not all embodiments of the method 300. A joint 220 between two standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 may be detected with a laser based measuring device 135. Such a laser based measuring device 135 may be directed downwards, towards said standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 and be arranged to measure the distance to the standing plate 210 which is situated below the measuring device 135. When the distance to the surface exceeds the measured distance to the standing plate 210, this is interpreted as if a joint 220 is situated there.

According to some embodiments it is possible to measure also the length of the escalator. According to some embodiments this length may be measured with a laser based measuring device 135, arranged to measure the length of the escalator 200. In other embodiments the cleaner may measure the length of the escalator, or simply read the length of the escalator from a data sheet associated with the escalator 200 and input this information so that it is made available to the control unit 130.

Step 302

This method step is performed in some, but not all,

embodiments of the method 300, where a joint 220 between two standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 has been detected 301.

A calculation of when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator 200 with the high pressure nozzle 150 in order to clean said joint 220 may be performed, and/or a calculation of when the spraying is to be interrupted. This calculation may be performed so that the spraying of liquid with the high pressure nozzle 150 is adjusted, so that only the joint 220 between two standing plates 210 is sprayed. The calculation may be based on the earlier made detection 301 of said joint 220. By detecting 301 said joint 220 and calculating when a joint 220 is situated directly below the high pressure nozzle 150 and then activate spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150 in a high pressure pulse it is possible to clean the lateral surface, the riser, in the escalator 200 with a limited amount of liquid.

The calculation of when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator 200 and when the spraying is to be

interrupted may in this connection comprise determination of where the joint 220 between two standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 is situated and production of control signals to activate the high pressure nozzle 150 so that this joint 220 is sprayed with the liquid, after which the high pressure nozzle 150 is deactivated, according to some embodiments.

Step 303

This method step may be performed in some, but not all, embodiments of the method 300, especially in embodiments in which the method step 302 has been performed.

Spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150 is controlled based on said calculation 302.

In this way it is possible to adjust the spraying of liquid with the high pressure nozzle 150, so that only the joint 220 between two standing plates 210 is sprayed. In this way the amount of outsprayed liquid is decreased in relation to the escalator 200, compared to a constant spraying with liquid. In this way less liquid remains to be evacuated after cleaning of the escalator 200, which speeds up the cleaning. In this way the risk for water damages is also decreased, as well as the risk for slip accidents in the escalator 200.

Step 304

The escalator 200 is sprayed with liquid through a high pressure nozzle 150 in the cleaning device 100. The spraying may be performed with for example water, water vapour, cleaning agent, solvent or a mixture of these. Such a cleaning agent may comprise a tenside or a surfactant which may modify the surface tension of a phase boundary surface. Said solvents may be comprised of, e.g., ethanol, turpentine, ammonia, super critical carbon dioxide, tetrachloroethene , toluene, acetone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, hexane, citrus terpenes or similar, and may comprise a polar solvent, a protic solvent, an aprotic solvent, a nonpolar solvent, a neotheric solvent and/or a nonpolar solvent according to some embodiments; or a mixture between a plurality of the

components above.

By spraying the escalator 200 with liquid the friction decreases for the rotating brushes 140, which facilitates the cleaning of the escalator 200.

Step 305

This method step can be performed in some, but not all embodiments of the method 300.

The amount of liquid which passes out through the high pressure nozzle 150 may be measured with a first measuring device 155. In some embodiments the amount of liquid may refer to water vapour.

Step 306

A standing plate 210 in the escalator 200 is brushed with a rotating brush 140 in the cleaning device 100. The brush 140 may rotate parallelly to the extension of the escalator, or perpendicularly to this in different embodiments. Step 307

Liquid and dirt is sucked up through a vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 in the cleaning device 100.

Step 308

This method step may be performed in some, but not all

embodiments of the method 300.

The amount of liquid which is sucked up 304 through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 may be measured with a second measuring device 165.

Step 309

This method step may be performed in some, but not all

embodiments of the method 300, in which the amount of liquid which is sucked up 304 through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 has been measured.

The amount of remaining liquid in connection to the escalator 200 may be calculated by subtracting the amount of liquid which has been sucked up through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 from the liquid amount which passes through the high pressure nozzle 150. Step 310

This method step may be performed in some, but not all

embodiments of the method 300. A marker 139 is detected by a detector 137, which marker 139 indicates when all joints 220 and standing plates 210 in the escalator have been cleaned.

In connection to the cleaning of the escalator commencing, the cleaner may attach a marker 139 on a standing plate 210 in the escalator 200. In this way the cleaner may easily determine when the escalator 200 has rotated a revolution and the entire escalator thus has been cleaned according to the method 300. The marker 139 may be comprised of, e.g. a sticker, with an adhesive coating on one side and a monochrome surface on its other side, in a certain shade of colour, wherein the detector 137, according to some embodiments, is arranged to recognize this specific shade of colour.

In other embodiments the marker 139 may be comprised of, e.g., a sticker with a one dimensional or multi dimensional bar code, a Quick Response (QR) code or similar, wherein the detector 137 is especially arranged to detect this marker 139 and may be comprised of, e.g., a bar code reader or

corresponding device.

Step 311

This method step may be performed in some, but not all

embodiments of the method 300, especially in embodiments in which the method step 310 has been performed. Spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150, may be interrupted 311 when the detector 137 has detected 310 said marker 139. This may be performed by sending a control signal to interrupt the spraying. In some embodiments also the brush 140 and/or the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 may get such a control signal to interrupt the cleaning of the escalator 200. In some

embodiments an indication that the cleaning is ready may be executed to alert the cleaner on this, for example by a sound signal and/or a light signal or similar being generated. For example a message may be written on the viewing screen 120.

According to some alternative embodiments the cleaning may simply be interrupted when the cleaner notes that the entire escalator 200 has been cleaned.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic embodiment of a cleaning device 100 for cleaning of an escalator 200, a conveyor belt or similar when this is in motion. The cleaning device 100 is configured to perform at least some of the earlier described method steps 301-311, comprised in the description of the method 300 to clean an escalator 200.

In order to correctly be able to clean the escalator 200 the cleaning device 100 comprises a number of components which in the following text are described in more detail. Some of the described sub components exist in some, but not necessarily all embodiments. There might also exist additional electronics or mechanics in the cleaning device 100, which is not entirely necessary in order to understand the function of the cleaning device 100 according to the invention and is for that reason omitted here for increased clarity. The cleaning device 100 comprises at least one rotating brush 140 for brushing dirt from a standing plate 210 in the

escalator 200. Further, the cleaning device 100 comprises at least one high pressure nozzle 150, connectable to a pressure tank comprising a liquid, pressurized with a pressure exceeding the

surrounding atmospheric pressure, wherein the high pressure nozzle 150 is arranged to spray the escalator 200 with said liquid. In particular the high pressure nozzle 150 is, according to some embodiments, arranged to spray the gap 220 between two standing plates 210 and in that way clean the riser in the escalator 200. The cleaning device 100 comprises also a vacuum cleaner nozzle 160, which is connectable to a pump, in order to evacuate liquid through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160.

According to some embodiments the cleaning device 100 may also comprise one or more belt conveyors 180. The belt conveyor 180 may be comprised of a rubber mat or similar, which for example may comprise transverse lists in order to better collect dirt and dust brushed up by said at least one rotating brush 140. Such a belt conveyor 180 may according to some embodiments rotate so that dirt which has been brushed up on them is transported to a collection container 170. Dirt and liquid may then be sucked up from this collection container 170 and be evacuated through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160. Furthermore, the cleaning device 100 may comprise a first measuring device 155, arranged to measure the amount of liquid that passes out through the high pressure nozzle 150. The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a second measuring device 165, arranged to measure the amount of liquid which is sucked up through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 and a control unit 130, arranged to calculate the amount of remaining liquid in connection to the escalator 200 by subtracting the amount of sucked up liquid which has been sucked up through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 from the amount of liquid that has passed through the high pressure nozzle 150.

The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a laser based measuring device 135 arranged to detect where the joint 220 between two standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 is situated, and a control unit 130, arranged to calculate when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator 200 to clean said joint 220, based on said detection made by the laser based measuring device 135. Such a laser based measuring device 135 may be directed downwards, against said standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 and be arranged to measure the distance to the standing plate 210 which is situated below the measuring device 135. When the distance to the surface exceeds the measured distance to the standing plate 210, or exceeds this with a certain limit value, this is interpreted as if a joint 220 is situated there.

The control unit 130 may be arranged to calculate when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator 200 and when the spraying is to be interrupted, and also arranged to produce a control signal to activate and deactivate,

respectively, the spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150 in some embodiments.

According to some embodiments the length of the escalator may be measured with the laser based measuring device 135, or another similar laser based measuring device. According to some embodiments this length may be measured by a laser based measuring device 135, arranged to measure the length of the escalator 200. In other embodiments the cleaner may measure the length of the escalator, or simply read the length of the escalator from a data sheet associated with the escalator 200 and input this information so that it is made available to the control unit 130.

The cleaning device 100 may further comprise a detector 137 according to some embodiments, arranged to detect a marker 139 which may indicate when all joints 220 and standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 have been cleaned. The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a control unit 130, arranged to

interrupt the spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150, when the detector 137 has detected said marker 139.

The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a viewing screen 120, arranged to show data comprising at least some of: the flow of liquid through the high pressure nozzle 150, the amount of remaining liquid in connection to the standing plates 210 of the escalator, the number of steps/standing plates 210 in the escalator 200, the number of remaining steps/standing plates 210 to be cleaned in the escalator 200, calculated amount of liquid to clean the escalator 200, calculated amount of time to clean the escalator 200 or any other similar information related to the cleaning process such as temperature on the liquid/ steam, the type of liquid, solvent additive or similar. The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a protective cover 110 which encloses the rotating brush 140, the high pressure nozzle 150 and the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160, arranged to reduce splash from liquid and/or dirt according to some embodiments. In this way passengers in the escalator 200 may pass the cleaning device 100 without risk for splash and dirt on the clothes. Furthermore, the cleaning device 100 may, alternatively, also comprise the high pressure nozzle 150 being attached with a link 157 in a fastening device 159 and a maneuvering member 125 which enables an operator to change direction on the high pressure nozzle 150 from a position outside the protective cover 110.

The cleaning device 100 may also comprise a cleaning member 250, such as a brush and/or a high pressure nozzle 150, attached on one side of the cleaning device so that cleaning of the outermost edge of this side of the escalator is enabled, according to an embodiment.

The liquid which is sprayed out of the high pressure nozzle 150 may for example comprise: water, water vapour, solvent and/or cleaning agent, or a mixture of some or all of these or similar components.

The control unit 130 may comprise a reception circuit 410, arranged to obtain measuring values from said first measuring device 155, and/or second measuring device 165 and/or laser based measuring device 135, and/or detectors 137, according to some embodiments.

The control unit 130 may also comprise a processor circuit 420. This processor circuit 420 may be arranged to perform some calculations, such as for example calculating the amount of remaining liquid in connection to the escalator 200 by subtracting the amount of liquid that has been sucked up through the vacuum cleaner nozzle 160 from the amount of liquid which has passed through the high pressure nozzle 150. In some embodiments the processor circuit 420 may be arranged to calculate when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator 200 and when the spraying is to be interrupted, and also arranged to produce a control signal to activate and deactivate, respectively, the spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150. In some embodiments the processor circuit 420 may also be arranged to determine where the joint 220 between two standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 is situated and to activate the high pressure nozzle 150 so that this joint 220 is sprayed with the liquid, after which the high pressure nozzle 150 is deactivated. Furthermore, the processor circuit 420 may be arranged to detect a joint 220 between two standing plates in the

escalator 200 after having received an indication from a laser based measuring device 135. The processor circuit 420 may also be arranged to calculate when the high pressure nozzle 150 is to spray the escalator 200 with the high pressure nozzle 150 to clean said joint 220. Furthermore, the processor circuit 420 may also be arranged to control the spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150, based on said calculation according to some embodiments. In this way the processor circuit 420 may produce control signals to activate the high pressure nozzle 150 so that this joint 220 is sprayed with the liquid with a high pressure pulse, after which the high pressure nozzle 150 is deactivated until a new joint 220 is detected, according to some embodiments.

The processor circuit 420 may also be arranged to detect a marker 139 which indicates when all joints 220 and standing plates 210 in the escalator 200 have been cleaned when such an indication is provided from the detector 137. Furthermore, the processor circuit 420 may also be arranged to interrupt spraying with the high pressure nozzle 150, when the detector 137 has detected said marker 139 by producing and sending a control signal for this.

The processor circuit 420 may also be arranged to calculate some other data related to the cleaning of the escalator such as, e.g., flow of liquid through the high pressure nozzle 150, the amount of remaining liquid in connection to the standing plates 210 of the escalator, the number of steps/standing plates 210 in the escalator 200, the number of remaining steps/standing plates 210 to be cleaned in the escalator 200, the calculated amount of liquid to clean the escalator 200, the calculated amount of time to clean the escalator 200. Such calculation may be performed with a certain time interval or continuously.

The processor circuit 420 may be comprised of, e.g., one or more Central Processing Unit(s) (CPU), micro processor (s) or other logic arranged to interpret and perform instructions and/or to read and write data. The processor circuit 420 may handle data for inflow, outflow or data processing of data comprising also buffering of data, control functions and similar.

The control unit 130 may also comprise a memory unit 425, which comprises a storage medium for data. Such a memory 425 may be arranged to store information related to cleaning in the escalator 200. The memory unit may be comprised of, e.g., a memory card, a flash memory, USB-memory, hard disc drive or any other similar data storage unit, for example one from the group: ROM (Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) , EPROM (Erasable PROM) , Flash memory, EEPROM

(Electrically Erasable PROM), etc. in different embodiments.

The control unit 130 may also comprise a transmitting circuit 530, arranged to send a control signal for example to the high pressure nozzle 150, or a pump connected to this nozzle 150, to spray out liquid with high pressure, for example in a high pressure pulse. Furthermore, the invention comprises a computer program for control of a cleaning device 100 for cleaning of an escalator 200, a conveyor belt or similar when this is in motion. The computer program is arranged to perform a method 300 according to at least some of the earlier described steps 301-311, when the computer program is executed in a processor circuit 420 in the control unit 130 in the cleaning device 100.

The method 300 according to steps 301-311 for cleaning of an escalator 200, a conveyor belt or similar when this is in motion may be implemented by one or more processor circuits 420 in the control unit 130, together with computer program code to perform some, a few, certain or all of the steps 301- 311 which have been described above. In this way a computer program comprising instructions to perform the steps 301-311 when the computer program is loaded in the processor circuit 420 may generate instructions to control components comprised in the cleaning device 100, for cleaning of the escalator 200 when this is in motion.