Patent Grant
11051670
The present invention relates in general to floor cleaning machines and, more particularly, to floor cleaning machines having intelligent systems that have the capacity to selectively gather, obtain, monitor, store, record, and analyze data associated with components of the floor cleaning machines and controllably communicate and disseminate such data with other systems and users. The present invention further relates to floor cleaning machine sub-assemblies including, but not limited to, secondary electrochemical cells having intelligent systems, as well as associated methods for using the same. The present invention yet further relates to floor cleaning machines having an orbital scrub head sub-assembly that substantially reduces noise and/or user vibration/jarring during normal operation of the floor cleaning machine.
Floor cleaning machines and associated systems have been known in the art for years and are the subject of a plurality of patents and/or publications, including: U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,294 entitled “Floor Cleaner Scrub Head Having a Movable Disc Scrub Member,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,114 entitled “Floor Sweeping and Scrubbing Machine,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,877 entitled “Floor Care Appliance with Network Connectivity,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,711 entitled “Mobile Floor Cleaner Data Communication,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,300 entitled “Floor Scrubber,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,720 entitled “Mobile Surface Cleaning Machine,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,955 entitled “Combined Sweeper and Scrubber,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,684 entitled “Cleaning Vehicles,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,676 entitled “Combination Sweeping and Scrubbing System and Method,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,621 entitled “Floor and Bounded Surface Sweeper Machine,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,364 entitled “Floor-Cleaning Machine,” U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,313 entitled “Walk Behind Floor Maintenance Machine,” and European Patent Number 2,628,427 A2 entitled “Suction Device with a Suction Device Transmitter and External Communication Device Thereof,”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including all references cited therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,294 appears to disclose a scrub head that includes a first disc scrub member, a movable support having first and second positions, and a movable disc scrub member. The first disc scrub member is rotatable about a first vertical axis. The movable disc scrub member is rotatable about a second vertical axis and is connected to the movable support. The movable disc scrub member is configured to move relative to the first disc scrub member along first and second orthogonal axes of a horizontal plane, which is transverse to the first and second vertical axes, between first and second positions respectively corresponding to the first and second positions of the movable support.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,114 appears to disclose a hard floor sweeping and scrubbing machine which includes a mobile body comprising a frame supported on wheels for travel over a surface, a motorized cleaning head, a waste hopper, a hopper lift and a vacuum squeegee. The motorized cleaning head is attached to the mobile body and is configured to perform sweeping and scrubbing operations on the surface. The waste hopper is positioned on a rear side of the cleaning head and is configured to receive waste discharged from the cleaning head during the surface sweeping operations. The hopper lift is configured to raise the waste hopper from an operating position, in which the waste hopper is positioned adjacent the cleaning head, to a dumping position, in which the waste hopper is positioned to dump waste collected in the waste hopper. In one embodiment, the vacuum squeegee is attached to the hopper lift. Also disclosed is a method of cleaning a surface using embodiments of the machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,269,877 appears to disclose a floor care appliance that includes a microprocessor-based control arrangement having a communications port for connection to a computer. Once connected to a computer, software updates for the microprocessor may be downloaded or diagnostic information stored in the microprocessor's memory may be uploaded for diagnostic purposes. In one embodiment of the invention, the communication port is configured to be connected to a local computer for possible further connection to a remote computer over a computer or telephone network. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the communication port is configured to connect to and dial up a remote computer over a telephone network.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,199,711 appears to disclose a method of communicating data from a mobile floor cleaner to a remote receiver a data communication is initiated from a communicator of the mobile floor cleaner to the remote receiver and data is communicated to the remote receiver with the communicator.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,300 appears to disclose a floor scrubbing vehicle having scrub brushes mounted at the rear of the vehicle by a mechanism which allows both the brushes and squeegee to extend and retract transversely with respect to the vehicle. The mechanism is resilient, and allows the scrub brushes and squeegee to automatically retract inward upon contact with an immovable obstacle, and also causes automatic extension of the brushes and squeegee following passage of the obstacle. The scrub brushes and squeegee are mounted in a scrubbing pod frame which can rotate about a vertical axis with respect to the vehicle to prevent damage, or to facilitate access for repair and maintenance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,720 appears to disclose a surface cleaning machine as a combination sweeping-scrubbing apparatus including a sweeping brush for sweeping debris into a hopper and a one piece squeegee for picking up solution after four staggered, disc brushes. The squeegee is U-shaped having a longitudinal extent greater than that of the disc brushes located intermediate the legs of the squeegee. The drive wheel is located in front of the disc brushes, the squeegee and the solution applying means. The squeegee is raised and lowered relative to the frame by an actuator which pivots an L-shaped member, the leg of which abuts against and pivots a lever interconnected to the mount or the squeegee by a turnbuckle. The hopper is raised and simultaneously tilted by a single cylinder which pivots the upper arm of a parallelogram including a lower arm. The hopper is pivotally mounted to an end of a hopper arm, the opposite end of which is pivotally mounted to the end of the upper arm, and is further pivotally mounted to the end of the lower arm. The hopper is simultaneously tilted at a generally constant dump angle as the hopper is raised from a lowered position in a horizontal debris collecting condition to a raised position with the hopper in a dumping condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,955 appears to disclose a combination floor sweeping and scrubbing machine which is as compact and maneuverable as an equivalent machine which only sweeps or scrubs, while retaining typical hopper and tank volumes. Its operator can change it from sweeping to scrubbing or vice versa at any time by moving a few controls and without adding or removing any parts. It has one debris hopper and one horizontal cylindrical rotating brush and they function in both the sweeping and scrubbing modes. A vacuum system supplies dust control during sweeping and vacuum pickup of dirty solution during scrubbing. In the scrubbing mode a single tank supplies scrubbing solution and receives dirty solution picked up from the floor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,684 appears to disclose a self-propelled sweeper vehicle that has front steerable wheels mounted on a centrally pivoted axle assembly which also carries the nozzle and brush gear whereby these assemblies are steered in unison with the vehicle. The nozzle front edge is convex and promotes non-turbulent air intake. The nozzle is formed as a hollow rotationally molded structure of a plastics material having inherent structural strength and stiffness. The brush gear is mounted on linkages comprising inner and outer portions pivotally connected for folding movement to resiliently yield under impact. The brush covers are formed as hollow plastics moldings and part of the brush support structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,676 appears to disclose a machine and/or system as well as a method of operation and an assembly whereby a sweeping unit may be quickly converted into a scrubbing unit and vice versa. The system is capable of operation either in a sweeping mode or a scrubbing mode and is also adaptable to include a vacuum wand assembly when the unit is to be operated in its sweeping mode.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,621 appears to disclose a sweeper machine for floors and bounded surfaces, e.g. the floors of workshops and warehouses, courtyards, having engaged with the machine frame, a removable container for collecting the swept trash supported by pivotally-mounted guides engaged by swivel members extending in a crosswise direction to the machine's longitudinal axis and cooperating to define a small frame intervening sealingly between a suction assembly in the frame and a suction mouth of the container, and with snap-action hook-up elements provided between the frame and the pivotally mounted guides and spring members projecting from the frame and acting by spring contact on the container.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,667,364 appears to disclose a floor cleaning machine which the fresh water and product dosing operation is controlled as a function of the operation of the driving motor such that the dosing per unit of floor area is maintained at an operator-controllable level. Improved economy of water, product and energy is achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,313 appears to disclose a walk behind floor maintenance machine that includes a filter and filter housing that may be pivoted away to permit removal of the debris hopper. The filter may be cleaned by vibrating the filter and filter housing. Dust vibrated from the filter slides into the hopper. The hopper may be manually removed for emptying.
European Patent Number 2,628,427 A2 appears to disclose a device which has a suction motor and a dust collecting chamber arranged in a suction housing. A suction device-communication unit communicates with external communication units that form a component of a hand-held power tool. The external communication units are operated at a distance to the housing in connection with the tool. The suction device-communication unit includes a suction device transmitter for transmitting a control signal and/or a status signal to the external communication units. An independent claim is also included for an external communication unit for cooperation with a hand-held power tool.
While the above-identified patents and/or publications do appear to disclose various floor cleaning machines and associated systems, their configurations remain non-desirous, incompatible, and/or problematic inasmuch as, among other things, none of the above-identified floor cleaning machines and associated systems appear to include assemblies having intelligent systems that have the capacity to selectively gather, obtain, monitor, store, record, and analyze data associated with components of the floor cleaning machines and controllably communicate and disseminate such data with other systems and users. Furthermore, none of the above-identified floor cleaning machines and associated systems appear to utilize and/or be compatible with intelligent systems associated with secondary electrochemical cell sub-assemblies. Lastly, none of the above-identified floor cleaning machines include an orbital scrub head sub-assembly that substantially reduces noise and/or user vibration/jarring during normal operation of the same.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide floor cleaning machines having intelligent systems that have the capacity to selectively gather, obtain, monitor, store, record, and analyze data associated with components of the floor cleaning machines and controllably communicate and disseminate such data with other systems and users, as well as provide floor cleaning machines that are compatible with secondary electrochemical cells having intelligent systems associated therewith. It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide an orbital scrub head sub-assembly that substantially reduces noise and/or user vibration/jarring during normal operation of the floor cleaning machine.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and appended drawings.
Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:
The present invention is directed to, in one embodiment, a floor cleaning machine comprising: (a) an electrochemical cell comprising: (1) an anode; (2) a cathode; (3) an electrolyte; (4) an electrochemical cell controller in at least one of unilateral and/or bilateral communication with at least one of the anode, the cathode, and the electrolyte; and (b) wherein the electrochemical cell is associated with at least one of a recovery tank sub-assembly; a vacuum fan sub-assembly; a solution tank sub-assembly, a solution flow sub-assembly; a control console sub-assembly; at least one of a frame and wheel sub-assembly and a frame and transaxle sub-assembly; a scrub head sub-assembly; a scrub head lift sub-assembly; and a squeegee sub-assembly.
The present invention is also directed to, in one embodiment, a floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: (1) a recovery tank sub-assembly; (2) a vacuum fan sub-assembly; (3) a solution tank sub-assembly, wherein the solution tank sub-assembly preferably comprises a secondary electrochemical cell; (4) a solution flow sub-assembly; (5) a control console sub-assembly; (6) at least one of a frame and wheel sub-assembly and a frame and transaxle sub-assembly; (7) a scrub head sub-assembly; (8) a scrub head lift sub-assembly; (9) a squeegee sub-assembly; and (10) an intelligent system associated with at least one of the above-identified sub-assemblies, wherein the intelligent system at least one of selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and analyzes data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine assembly, and at least one of controllably communicates and disseminates such data with at least one of another system and user.
The present invention is further directed to, in one embodiment, a sub-assembly having an intelligent system for a floor cleaning machine, comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: (1) a primary and/or secondary electrochemical cell; and (2) an intelligent system, wherein the intelligent system at least one of selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and analyzes data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine assembly, and at least one of controllably communicates and disseminates such data with at least one of another system and user.
The present invention is additionally directed to, in one embodiment, a method for using an intelligent system with a floor cleaning machine assembly comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of the steps of: (1) providing a floor cleaning machine assembly having an intelligent system; (2) selectively gathering, obtaining, monitoring, storing, recording, and/or analyzing data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine assembly; and (3) controllably communicating and/or disseminating data with at least one of another system and user.
The present invention is also directed to, in one embodiment, a floor cleaning machine having an orbital scrub head sub-assembly that substantially reduces noise and/or user vibration/jarring during normal operation of the floor cleaning machine.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, one or more specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings with like reference characters.
It will be further understood that
Unless otherwise specified, the machines, sub-assemblies, components and/or parts provided herein below are commercially available from International Cleaning Equipment (ICE) (Guangdong, China) or a subsidiary thereof.
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Recovery tank sub-assembly 101 also preferably includes front indicia or logo 38 for product recognition and cup holder 40 for containing a cup, can, and/or bottle.
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In accordance with the present invention, battery 64 preferably comprises a secondary electrochemical cell, such as a lead acid, NiCad, NiMH, and/or lithium-ion battery. Preferred examples of lithium-ion batteries include lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) batteries, lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) batteries, lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) batteries, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) batteries, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (LiNiCoAlO2) batteries, and lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) batteries. In one embodiment each battery 64 comprises an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the anode, cathode, and electrolyte are monitored by the intelligent system of the floor cleaning machine's intelligent system. Such monitoring comprises evaluating the structural integrity of the anode, the cathode, and/or the electrolyte, and/or the cycle life of each component—including electrolyte level.
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First electrode 302 comprises an anode fabricated from anodic active material 310 dispersed within binder 312, which is applied onto current collector 314. For purposes of the present disclosure, anodic active material 310 may be fabricated from, for example, lithium, a carbonaceous source, such as carbon black and/or graphite, or a mixture of lithium and a carbonaceous source. Binder 312 may be fabricated from any one of a number of conventional binder materials known in the art, or, alternatively may comprise an ionomer binder as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,019, entitled “Electrochemical Cell Having an Ionomer Binder of Li-AMPS and Associated Fabrication”—which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety including all references cited therein. It will be understood that current collector 314 may be fabricated from any one of a number of materials that would be known to those having ordinary skill in the art, including a transition metal foil or mesh, such as copper foil or mesh, etcetera. First electrode 302 may also be fabricated in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,392 entitled “Electrolytic Cell Using Small Particle Graphite”—which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety including all references cited therein.
Second electrode 304 comprises a cathode fabricated from a cathodic active material 316 dispersed within binder 318, which is applied onto current collector 320. For purposes of the present disclosure, cathodic active material 316 may be fabricated from, among other materials, a transition metal oxide or a lithium transition metal oxide, such as, for example, LiMn2O4, LiCoO2, or LiNiO2, a doped transition metal oxide, and/or a mixed transition metal oxide, (optionally doped with a carbonaceous material—which serves as a conductivity enhancer)—just to name a few. Binder 318 may be fabricated from any one of a number of conventional binder materials known in the art, or, alternatively may comprise an ionomer binder. It will be understood that current collector 320 may be fabricated from any one of a number of materials that would be known to those having ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, aluminum foil or mesh. Second electrode 304 may also be fabricated in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,057 entitled “Poly-Sulfide and Carbon Electrode Material and Associated Process” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,300 entitled “Small Particle Electrodes by Aerosol Process”—which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including all references cited therein.
Electrolyte 306 includes a conventional salt (not shown), such as LiAsF6, LiPF6, LiCF3SO3, LiN(CF3SO2)3, LiBF6, or LiClO4 at least partially dissolved in a conventional solvent (not shown), such as propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), and mixtures thereof. Although, other commercially available and conventionally used solvents and salts or electrolyte systems, including liquid, gel, hybrid, and/or solid state electrolyte systems are likewise contemplated for use in accordance with the present invention. Electrolyte 306 may also be fabricated in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,453,335 entitled “Ion-Conductive Polymer and Electrolyte Additives,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,876 entitled “Ion-Conductive Polymer and Electrolyte Additives,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,655 entitled “Molecular Complexes for use as Electrolyte Components,”—which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including all references cited therein.
For purposes of the present disclosure, one or both of binders 312 and 318 may comprise an ionomer binder. The ionomer binder provides at least two benefits relative to conventional, non-ionomer binders. First, the ionomer binder carries a charge, which enhances adhesion between the binder material and an associated current collector, such as current collectors 314 and/or 320. Second, the ionomer binder enables reliable unilateral and/or bilateral communication between first electrode 302, second electrode 304, and electrochemical cell controller 308. For purposes of the present disclosure, the ionomer binder may comprise an acidic polymer such as 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-propane-1-sulphonic acid that is neutralized by one or more lithium salts using conventional means, the product of which is herein referred to as LiAMPS. It will be understood that ionomer materials other than LiAMPS are suitable for use in accordance with the present invention so long as the ionomer binder: (1) is sufficiently insoluble in conventional lithium ion secondary cell electrolyte solvents; and (2) facilitates unilateral and/or bilateral communication between first electrode 302, second electrode 304, and electrochemical cell controller 308.
In accordance with the present invention, electrochemical cell controller 308 is integrated with electrochemical cell 300 and preferably includes a printed circuit board having a microprocessor and memory for storing data collected via unilateral and/or bilateral communication with at least one of first electrode 302, second electrode 304, and electrolyte 306—including component parts thereof. Such collected data is preferably outputted in a manner analogous to that associated with PCB/controller 518. In addition, electrochemical cell controller 308 optionally unilaterally and/or bilaterally communicates with PCB/controller 518.
It will be understood that electrochemical cell controller 308 integrated with electrochemical cell 300, enables data collection and analysis associated with: (1) current and historical cell capacity (e.g., power level, percentage of available energy); (2) current and historical conditions (e.g., rate) under which the cell or cells were charged and/or discharged; (3) net battery usage (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, etcetera) and (4) physical and chemical battery properties/conditions (e.g., electrode temperature, electrolyte temperature, electrolyte level, dendrite formation, current collector fatigue, passivation layer degradation). It will be understood that a server or third party can be notified regarding the status or condition of any one of the above-identified parameters. Additionally, if a fault or dangerous condition is observed via data collection and analysis, then usage of electrochemical cell 300, and, in turn, floor cleaning machine 100 can be controlled remotely (e.g., shut down and re-activate the battery remotely via, for example, open and closed circuits—among other methodologies. Moreover, electrochemical cell controller 308 enables gathering of information on the workings of floor cleaning machine 100, such as how many hours it was used, how much area it cleaned and how long it was charged. Furthermore, electrochemical cell controller 308 is able to send out malfunction information for the critical components like vacuum motor, brush drive motor and transaxle. Such information is especially beneficial during leasing/rental engagements. Electrochemical cell controller 308 also informs the lessee and/or user about payment dates and, for example, how much time is left on the leasing contract.
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In another embodiment of the present invention, a sub-assembly having an intelligent system for a floor cleaning machine is provided and generally comprises a primary and/or secondary electrochemical cell, and an intelligent system, wherein the intelligent system at least one of selectively gathers, obtains, monitors, stores, records, and analyzes data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine assembly, and at least one of controllably communicates and disseminates such data with at least one of another system and user.
In accordance with the present invention, a method for using an intelligent system with a floor cleaning machine assembly is provided and generally, comprises the following steps: (1) providing a floor cleaning machine assembly having an intelligent system; (2) selectively gathering, obtaining, monitoring, storing, recording, and/or analyzing data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine assembly; and (3) controllably communicating and/or disseminating data with at least one of another system and user. In particular and as is collectively shown in
The PCB 518 (e.g., controller) functions as a main controller board for controlling and communicating with various components of the floor cleaning machine assembly. In some embodiments, the PCB 518 can include one or more features of an example computing machine illustrated and described with respect to
It will be understood that the PCB 518 can be referred to generally as an intelligent system or component that is configured to provide data gathering, recording, logging, transmitting, and analysis functionalities. In other embodiments, an intelligent system can include the PCB 518 that cooperates with a management server, where the PCB 518 gathers and collects operational data for the floor cleaning machine assembly and the management server performs data analysis functionalities on the operational data. In yet other embodiments, an intelligent system can include the PCB 518 that is configured to remotely activate/deactivate (e.g., turn on and off) floor cleaning machine 100 via, for example power key switch 506 or other circuit implantation.
Generally, the PCB 518 is communicatively coupled to each of the other components of the circuit described above, either directly or indirectly. For example, the PCB 518 directly communicates with the batteries of the floor cleaning machine assembly, through the battery interface 502, while the PCB 518 indirectly couples with the transaxle motor interface 532 through the speed control board 530.
The battery interface 502 allows for the PCB 518 to communicate with the Ion batteries to receive feedback including charge level, average usage and current draw, as well as other battery related metrics.
The charger interface 504 allows the PCB 518 to determine charging metrics such as average charging times.
The main power key switch 506 is controlled by the PCB 518 to allow the floor cleaning machine assembly to be turned on and off. Key metrics around the main power key switch 506 can include start and stop times. The PCB 518 can time stamp each operation such as device on and device off instances and record these metrics for statistical or reporting purposes. Other statistics could include time duration between device on and device off operations, which indicate duration of usage for the floor cleaning machine assembly.
The hour meter switch 508 is controlled by the PCB 518 to calculate hours of operation for the floor cleaning machine assembly, in some embodiments.
The brush motor solenoid switch 510 can be controlled by the PCB 518 to selectively control engagement or disengagement of the brush motor 184 of the floor cleaning machine assembly. The PCB 518 can track brush motor usage time by measuring engagement and disengagement of the brush motor 184. These statistics can be compared against device on and device off periods to determine how long the brush is engaged compared to the overall time frame of device on periods. By way of example, the PCB 518 can measure that the device is in a device on state for two hours, but the brush motor was only in use for 15 minutes.
The solution solenoid valve switch 512 can be utilized to control dispensing of solution through a solution dispenser. The PCB 518 can track solution dispensing events, which can be used to calculate metrics around solution utilization.
The safety switch 514 can be controlled with the PCB 518, for example, to lift a scrub head from contact with the floor. In some embodiments, when the PCB 518 activates the safety switch 514, the brush motor solenoid switch 510 can be controlled to disengage the brush motor 184. Other safety related operations can also likewise be accomplished using the safety switch 514.
The vacuum motor relay 516 can be utilized by the PCB 518 to control operation of the vacuum motor 44 of the floor cleaning machine assembly.
The emergency control switch 520 is controlled by the PCB 518 to control operation of an emergency switch of the floor cleaning machine assembly. A user can stop operation of the floor cleaning machine assembly by actuating the emergency switch. Actuation of the emergency switch is sensed by the PCB 518, causing the PCB 518 to selectively stop the brush motor 184 and the transaxle 182.
In one embodiment, the emergency control switch 520 can be used to selectively disrupt power provided to the speed control board 530. That is, the speed control board 530 is configured to control operation of the transaxle motor, by way of the transaxle motor interface 532.
A pair of LED interfaces 522 can be used by the PCB 518 to selectively control operation of LED lights that indicate operational statuses of the device 100, such as forward, backward, power on, and so forth.
The speed potentiometer 524 is controlled by the speed control board 530 to sense input from a user that can be used to vary the speed of the device. For example, the speed potentiometer 524 can receive a speed indication from a user. The speed indication is received by the PCB 518 from input into the speed potentiometer 524. This input is then translated into rotational speed of the transaxle motor through the transaxle motor interface 532.
The forward control handle bail switch 526 provides forward movement of the floor cleaning machine assembly. In some embodiments, the speed control board 504 utilizes the backward control handle bail switch 528 to provide backward movement of the floor cleaning machine assembly.
In response to signals through the forward control handle bail switch 526 and/or signals through the backward control handle bail switch 528, the transaxle motor interface 532 can be used by the speed control board 530 to selectively control the operation of the transaxle motor. For example, the speed control board 530 can selectively control the forward and/or backward rotation of the transaxle motor.
As with the PCB 518, the speed control board 530 can include one or more of the components of the computing machine of
Additionally, the PCB 518 can be configured to sense and collect the operational information of the speed control board 530 as the speed control board 530 controls the transaxle motor interface 532. For example, the PCB 518 can determine operational speeds for the transaxle motor, usage times, and so forth.
The PCB 518 can also control the brush motor 184 and vacuum motor 44, through their respective interfaces, such as brush motor interface 534 and vacuum motor interface 536. As with other components, the PCB 518 can be configured to sense and collect operational details of these devices.
In some embodiments, the PCB 518 communicates within an intelligent system 600, illustrated in greater detail in
Each of the plurality of devices 605-615 can be collocated in the same facility, such as a building, factory, school, or other location. In other embodiments, one or more (or all) plurality of devices 605-615 can be remotely located from one another.
Each of the plurality of devices 605-615 can gather and report its operational metrics to the management server 620 over the network 625, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
Exemplary networks, such as network 625 may include any one or more of, for instance, a local intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtual private network (VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relay connection, an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, a synchronous optical network (SONET) connection, a digital T1, T3, E1 or E3 line, Digital Data Service (DDS) connection, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34 or V.34bis analog modem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) or CDDI (Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore, communications may also include links to any of a variety of wireless networks, including 4 GLTE (Long Term Evolution), 3GPP (3 G Radio Access Network), WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) or TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), cellular phone networks, GPS (Global Positioning System), CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM (Research in Motion, Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, or an IEEE 802.11-based radio frequency network. The network 620 can further include or interface with any one or more of an RS-232 serial connection, an IEEE-1394 (Fire wire) connection, a Fiber Channel connection, an IrDA (infrared) port, a SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connection, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection or other wired or wireless, digital or analog interface or connection, mesh or Digi® networking.
The management server 620 is preferably implemented in a cloud-computing environment. In general, a cloud-based computing environment is a resource that typically combines the computational power of a large grouping of processors and/or that combines the storage capacity of a large grouping of computer memories or storage devices. For example, systems that provide a cloud resource may be utilized exclusively by their owners, such as Google™ or Yahoo!™; or such systems may be accessible to outside users who deploy applications within the computing infrastructure to obtain the benefit of large computational or storage resources. The cloud may be formed, for example, by a network of web servers, with each web server (or at least a plurality thereof) providing processor and/or storage resources. These servers may manage workloads provided by multiple users (e.g., cloud resource customers or other users). Typically, each user places workload demands upon the cloud that vary in real-time, sometimes dramatically. The nature and extent of these variations typically depend on the type of business associated with the user.
In operation, each of the plurality of devices 605-615 can communicate with the management server 620, with each of the plurality of devices 605-615 acting as a node within the network. The management server 620 can track metrics about each of the plurality of devices 605-615 by communicating with the PCB on each of the plurality of devices 605-615.
In some embodiments, data obtained by the PCB of each of the plurality of devices 605-615 is selectively gathered, obtained, monitored, stored, recorded, and/or analyzed by the management system 620.
According to some embodiments, data that is selectively gathered, obtained, monitored, stored, recorded, and/or analyzed, preferably comprises, for example, working time, current, voltage, power, and so forth from, for example, the vacuum motor, lithium-ion battery, transaxle, brush deck motor, and other components of the floor cleaning machine assembly. This data or information is preferably received at the PCB 518 (
Each device can be managed by assignment of a device ID by the management system. The device ID can be an assigned number, a SIM card number, an IMEI, a MAC address, an IP address, or other similar unique identifier. The device ID can be appended to each communication transmitted by the PCB 518 to the management server 620.
Stored data or information is preferably analyzed by the management server 620 for parameter compliance, and if, necessary such data or information is then communicated to, for example, an end user, servicing personal, and/or owner. For example, the owner of a floor cleaning machine assembly can set a threshold of hours of operation for the device that are required per week. If the floor cleaning machine assembly is not operated for a period of time that meets or exceeds this threshold, the floor cleaning machine assembly is identified by the management system 620.
The transfer of data with regard to each individual machine will help end users better plan for number of machines and employees at each individual work site. Companies with sizeable cleaning staff, (e.g., contact cleaning companies) will find it relevant and useful.
In one embodiment the data or information with regard to usage of each individual machine is collected and transmitted daily at a specific time to, for example, the management server. This will allow end users, as well as, distributors and dealers to access the information that they need, so as to monitor usage of these machines and allow them to extract maximum efficiency during operations. In another embodiment of the present invention, other than information for individual days, cumulative totals and averages are readily available too, and the information is preferably updated through the lifespan of the floor cleaning machine assembly. Examples of data or information uploaded on a daily basis include, for example, the number of hours and specific time the machine was in operation during the previous 24 hours, the monthly total hours for machine usage, and the total hours of machine usage. Furthermore, the present invention enables recording and analysis of an accumulation total for working parts like batteries, vacuum motors, transaxles and brush motors. Since each component has a lifespan, it will help distributors, dealers, and owners selectively monitor the exact time when these components (e.g., vacuum motor, brush motor and batteries) need to be changed instead of waiting for them to break down, which will affect the working efficiency of the end users. Another important advantage of having this data or information transfer is that in the event the machine breaks down, (e.g., the vacuum motor, brush motor, etcetera stops working), what has broken down will be selectively transmitted to the appropriate servicing personnel by email and/or cell phone text messaging that is/are responsible for the repairs and maintenance of the machines, management of the end user, and so forth.
As mentioned above, this operational data can be gathered by a PCB (such as PCB 518 of
The method also comprises communicatively coupling 704 a floor cleaning machine assembly with a management server. As mentioned above, this could comprise a wireless communication module of the PCB 518 coupling with the management server over a network connection.
Once the floor cleaning machine assembly and the management server are communicatively coupled with one another, the method can further comprise the management server querying 706 the floor cleaning machine assembly for operational data for any of the battery, vacuum motor, transaxle, and brush motor. For example, the management server can request battery related operational data from the floor cleaning machine assembly. As mentioned above, this operational data can be stored on the floor cleaning machine assembly in memory of the PCB. In another example, the management server can request operational data for the vacuum and brush motors.
In another embodiment, the PCB can upload all operational data gathered since a last communication session with the management server. This operational data can include operational data for each of the battery, vacuum motor, transaxle, and brush motor.
In some embodiments, the management server is performing 708 at least one operational data analysis process on the obtained operational data.
Examples of operational data analysis include in one example, comparing the operational time frames for the floor cleaning machine assembly to an expected operational time frame. For example, the owner of a building will determine an operational time frame that the floor cleaning machine assembly should be utilized for. This operational time frame can be calculated from an expected time based on building square footage, or any other quantifiable metric that can be used to set an operational time frame threshold. Once this threshold is established, the management server can compare the actual operational time frame utilized over a given period of time to the operational time frame threshold. If the actual time does not meet or exceed the operational time frame threshold, the management server can alert the owner.
Thus, in some embodiments, the method includes transmitting 710 an alert message to an owner of the floor cleaning machine assembly if the operational analysis indicates that a threshold violating event has occurred. To be sure, a threshold violating event is any event in which operational data for one or more components of the floor cleaning machine assembly do not appropriately compare with an operational threshold.
In another example, an operational threshold could include a minimum charging time frame for the floor cleaning machine assembly. If the floor cleaning machine assembly is not charged for an appropriate amount of time, the battery operation of the floor cleaning machine assembly can be compromised.
In another example, an operational threshold can be set for the brush motor, which can include a comparison with another operational metric such as total operational time. Assume that the total operational time (e.g., power on to power off) for the floor cleaning machine assembly is one hour, but the brush motor is only operational for fifteen minutes of the one hour, it can be deduced that the floor cleaning machine assembly was not in actual use for the entire hour.
Additional metrics can be gathered by tracking revolutions of the transaxle, which can be extrapolated into square foot coverage of the floor cleaning machine assembly. Ideally, transaxle revolutions should be compared to overall operational time to ensure that the floor cleaning machine assembly is moving during power on periods. If the floor cleaning machine assembly is left on when no work is being accomplished, this can lead to unnecessary battery usage.
Knowledge of the approximate square footage of a cleaning area can also be used to determine if the floor cleaning machine assembly is being utilized properly. For example, if by counting transaxle revolutions that the floor cleaning machine assembly has only cleaned approximately 400 square feet, when the total expected square footage for the cleaning area is 2,000 square feet, the management server can detect this discrepancy and transmit an alert message to the owner or another interested party.
Upon detection of a failure, the method includes the PCB establishing 804 communication with a management server, as well as a step of transmitting 806 a fault message to the management server. The fault message can include an indication as to the component that failed, such as a battery, vacuum motor, transaxle, and brush motor.
If the failure involves a component of the floor cleaning machine assembly that could cause the floor cleaning machine assembly to be a safety hazard, the method can include the floor cleaning machine assembly receiving 808 an emergency shut down signal from the management server. The method also includes performing 810 an emergency shut down upon receiving the emergency shut down signal from the management server. Examples of emergency shut down procedures are described in greater detail supra.
In one embodiment, the method includes an optional step of automatically ordering 812 a replacement part for identified failed component. The floor cleaning machine assembly can communicate directly with a third party system over the network to order the replacement part. In another embodiment, the management server can identify the failed component and perform a lookup of the manufacturer of the failed component and forward the request to the third party system or a local inventory system. The management server can order the part automatically as the fault message is received. In another example, a replacement component in inventory can be identified and identified in a repair ticket that is transmitted to a repair technician.
In some embodiments, the present invention enables upgrades to the software that end users are using that may address, for example, compatibility issues, or other necessary upgrades. In one embodiment, the management server can push updates to the floor cleaning machine assembly during operational data transfer operations, or upon powering up the floor cleaning machine assembly. For example, each time the floor cleaning machine assembly is powered on, the PCB can link with the management server and query the management server for updates. This can all occur transparently to the end user, unless a short pause in operation of the floor cleaning machine assembly is required to implement the update or for safety reasons.
The example computer system 900 includes a processor or multiple processors 905 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or both), and a main memory 910 and static memory 915, which communicate with each other via a bus 920. The computer system 900 may further include a video display 935 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD)). The computer system 900 may also include an alpha-numeric input device(s) 930 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a voice recognition or biometric verification unit (not shown), a drive unit 937 (also referred to as disk drive unit), a signal generation device 940 (e.g., a speaker), and a network interface device 945. The computer system 900 may further include a data encryption module (not shown) to encrypt data.
The disk drive unit 937 includes a computer or machine-readable medium 950 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g., instructions 955) embodying or utilizing any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 955 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 10 and/or within the processors 905 during execution thereof by the computer system 900. The main memory 910 and the processors 905 may also constitute machine-readable media.
The instructions 955 may further be transmitted or received over a network via the network interface device 945 utilizing any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP)). While the machine-readable medium 950 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that causes the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present application, or that is capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures utilized by or associated with such a set of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wave signals. Such media may also include, without limitation, hard disks, floppy disks, flash memory cards, digital video disks, random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and the like. The example embodiments described herein may be implemented in an operating environment comprising software installed on a computer, in hardware, or in a combination of software and hardware.
One skilled in the art will recognize that the Internet service may be configured to provide Internet access to one or more computing devices that are coupled to the Internet service, and that the computing devices may include one or more processors, buses, memory devices, display devices, input/output devices, and the like. Furthermore, those skilled in the art may appreciate that the Internet service may be coupled to one or more databases, repositories, servers, and the like, which may be utilized in order to implement any of the embodiments of the disclosure as described herein.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the present technology in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present technology. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the present technology for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Aspects of the present technology are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the present technology. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/485,112, filed Apr. 13, 2017, entitled “Floor Cleaning Machine Assemblies Having Intelligent Systems, Associated Sub-Assemblies Incorporating Intelligent Systems, And Associated Methods Of Use,” which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety—including all references and appendices cited therein.
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