Floor cleaning machines having intelligent systems, associated sub-assemblies incorporating intelligent systems, and associated methods of use

• US 10,548,446 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2018
• Issued: 02/04/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intelligent Cleaning Equipment Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Intelligent Cleaning Equipment Holdings Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Chen, Nai Pong Simon
• Primary Examiner(s): Lieu, Julie B
• Application Number:
  US16/026,602
• Publication Number:
  US 20180317729A1
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/283 the tools being disc brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4008 Arrangements of switches, indicators or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4011 Regulation of the cleaning machine by electric means; Control systems and remote control systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4013 Contaminants collecting devices, i.e. hoppers, tanks or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4044 Vacuuming or pick-up tools; Squeegees
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4055 for lifting the tools to a non-working position
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4061 Steering means; Means for avoiding obstacles; Details related to the place where the driver is accommodated
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 11/4083 Liquid supply reservoirs; Preparation of the agents, e.g. mixing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system including a recovery tank sub-assembly, a vacuum fan sub-assembly, a solution tank sub-assembly, wherein the solution tank sub-assembly preferably includes a secondary electrochemical cell, a solution flow sub-assembly, a control console sub-assembly, a frame and wheel sub-assembly and/or a frame and transaxle sub-assembly, a scrub head sub-assembly, a scrub head lift sub-assembly, a squeegee sub-assembly, a solution flow sub-assembly, and 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.

Claims

1. A floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system, comprising:

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;

a squeegee sub-assembly; and

an intelligent system comprising a secondary electrochemical cell, wherein the secondary electrochemical cell includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, wherein at least one of the anode, cathode, and electrolyte are monitored by the intelligent system, and wherein the secondary electrochemical cell is in electrical communication with a controller that is configured to at least one of selectively gather, obtain, monitor, store, and record data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine.

2. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the controller communicatively couples the floor cleaning machine with a management server over a network and transmits data to the management server for analysis.

3. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the intelligent system is capable of transmitting a message to a management server.

4. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein the message transmitted by the intelligent system includes at least one of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly hours of operation of the floor cleaning machine.

5. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein the message transmitted by the intelligent system includes at least one of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly distance traveled by the floor cleaning machine.

6. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein the message transmitted by the intelligent system includes at least one of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly supply levels for at least one sub-assembly of the floor cleaning machine.

7. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein the message transmitted by the intelligent system includes at least one of hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly hours of operation of a motor associated with the floor cleaning machine.

8. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the intelligent system is capable of transmitting a fault message to a management server.

9. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the fault message includes failed part of a sub-assembly of the floor cleaning machine.

10. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the fault message includes a failed battery.

11. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the fault message includes a failed vacuum motor.

12. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the fault message includes a failed transaxle.

13. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the fault message includes a failed brush motor.

14. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the intelligent system is capable of transmitting a service interval notice message to a management server.

15. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the intelligent system is capable of transmitting a message to a third party via instant message, text and/or electronic mail.

16. A floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system, comprising:

a recovery tank sub-assembly;

a vacuum fan sub-assembly;

a solution tank sub-assembly, wherein a secondary electrochemical cell is positioned within the solution tank sub-assembly;

a solution flow sub-assembly, wherein the solution flow sub-assembly is positioned proximate a lower portion of the solution tank 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;

a squeegee sub-assembly; and

an intelligent system integrated with the secondary electrochemical cell positioned within the solution tank sub-assembly comprising a controller that is configured to at least one of selectively gather, obtain, monitor, store, and record data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine, and wherein the controller communicatively couples the floor cleaning machine with a management server over a network and transmits data to the management server for analysis.

17. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 16, wherein the secondary electrochemical cell comprises an anode.

18. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 16, wherein the secondary electrochemical cell comprises a cathode.

19. The floor cleaning machine according to claim 16, wherein the secondary electrochemical cell comprises an electrolyte.

20. A floor cleaning machine having an intelligent system, comprising:

a recovery tank sub-assembly;

a vacuum fan sub-assembly;

a solution tank sub-assembly, wherein a secondary electrochemical cell is positioned within the solution tank sub-assembly;

a solution flow sub-assembly, wherein the solution flow sub-assembly is positioned proximate a lower portion of the solution tank 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;

a squeegee sub-assembly; and

an intelligent system integrated with the secondary electrochemical cell positioned within the solution tank sub-assembly comprising a controller that is configured to at least one of selectively gather, obtain, monitor, store, and record data associated with components of the floor cleaning machine, and wherein the controller communicatively couples the floor cleaning machine with a management server over a network and transmits data to the management server for analysis, and wherein the secondary electrochemical cell comprises an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte, and wherein the structural integrity of the anode and the cathode are monitored by the intelligent system, and the electrolyte level of the electrolyte is monitored by the intelligent system.