DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates generally to a cleaning apparatus and more particularly to storm drain cleaning apparatus.
BACKGROUND
During rainy seasons, rain water gets accumulated all across the streets and roads. Conventionally, an open gully is provided along the sides of the roads to egress the accumulated rain water. The gully enroute the rain water into a well that collects the rain water from various parts of the city. The rain water that is collected into the well is then disposed-off into larger wells. There are various problems associated with the gullies, for example, the rain water gets spilled out from the gully, which carry dirt, debris and other solid wastes.
In order to improve the disposal of rain water, various storm water disposal systems have been developed. One of the storm water disposal systems includes a storm water drain or storm drain that are deployed across the roads or at the areas, where the rain water gets accumulated. The storm drain captures the rain water such that the rain water is temporarily collected within the drain and then gradually the rain water is egressed from the drain. In the events of prolonged raining, the storm drain gets choked by virtue of the debris that is entrained with the waste water. This causes accumulation of the water at a particular spot, which eventually causes spreading of various water borne diseases. The storm drains are evidently a good alternative over the gullies but there are various troubles associated with the storm drains, when the storm drains are not maintained properly.
Thus, there is a need for a technical solution that overcomes the aforementioned problems of conventional ways for maintaining storm drains.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing, a cleaning apparatus to perform a cleaning operation in a storm drain is disclosed. The cleaning apparatus includes an adjustment bracket and a cleaning arm. The adjustment bracket includes a movable portion and a guideway that extends within the adjustment bracket such that the movable portion slides on the guideway to translate in a vertical direction. The cleaning arm, upon translation of the movable portion, facilitates adjustment of the cleaning arm to insert the cleaning arm in a drain hole of the storm drain.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the adjustment bracket further includes a first plate that is disposed at an upper side of the adjustment bracket and a second plate that is disposed at a lower side of the adjustment bracket. The movable portion translates in the vertical direction within the first plate and the second plate.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes a bucket that is coupled to the cleaning arm and adapted to exhibit a shovel position and a grab position to capture one of, dirt, dust, debris, solid waste, and liquid waste from the storm drain.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning arm includes a proximal end coupled to the movable portion and a distal end that is disposed opposite to the proximal end such that the distal end is inserted in the drain hole.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the bucket is coupled to the distal end such that the bucket is inserted in the drain hole to capture one of, the dirt, the dust, the debris, the solid waste, and the liquid waste from the storm drain.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The first actuator is coupled to the movable portion and the proximal end and adapted to manoeuvre the cleaning arm to facilitate insertion of the distal end in the drain hole. The second actuator is coupled to the proximal end and adapted to facilitate one of, an extension, a retraction, and a rotation of the cleaning arm while the cleaning arm performs a cleaning operation in the storm drain.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes an operator console that facilitates an operator to adjust one or more co-ordinates of the cleaning arm within an internal region of the storm drain.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes a plurality of sensors and a plurality of cameras. The plurality of sensors are configured to sense a first set of signals representing a first set of parameters in the internal region. The first set of parameters includes type of debris and quantity of the debris in the internal region. The plurality of cameras are configured to capture a second set of parameters in the internal region. The second set of parameters comprising one or more images and one or more videos of the internal region.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes a first processing circuitry that is coupled to the plurality of sensors, a plurality of cameras, and the first and second actuators and configured to generate an instruction signal based on the first and second set of parameters. The first and second actuators, upon receipt of the instruction signal, facilitates adjustment of the one or more co-ordinates of the cleaning arm.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus further includes a second processing circuitry that is coupled to the plurality of sensors and a plurality of cameras and configured to relay a status of the cleaning operation of the internal region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The above and still further features and advantages of aspects of the present disclosure becomes apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of aspects thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a cleaning apparatus, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of a bucket of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 in shovel position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the bucket of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 in open position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the bucket of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 in closed position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure.
To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Various aspects of the present disclosure provide a cleaning apparatus. The following description provides specific details of certain aspects of the disclosure illustrated in the drawings to provide a thorough understanding of those aspects. It should be recognized, however, that the present disclosure can be reflected in additional aspects and the disclosure may be practiced without some of the details in the following description.
The various aspects including the example aspects are now described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various aspects of the disclosure are shown. The disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.
It is understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Aspects described herein refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on simplistic assembling or manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, example aspects are not limited to those shown in the views but include modifications in configurations formed on basis of assembling process. Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do not limit the various aspects including the example aspects.
The subject matter of example aspects, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventor/inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, the various aspects including the example aspects relate to a cleaning apparatus.
As mentioned, there remains a need to facilitate timely egression of rainwater or storm water from a particular region, the present disclosure provides a cleaning apparatus that is adapted to clean a storm drain. The cleaning apparatus therefore eliminates choking of the storm drain by timely cleaning the storm drain.
The term “vertical direction” as used herein the context of the present disclosure refers to the vertical direction with respect to the cleaning apparatus.
FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a cleaning apparatus 100, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The cleaning apparatus 100 may be adapted to clean an open type or closed type storm drain, for example, a storm drain. The cleaning apparatus 100 may include a frame 102, an adjustment bracket 104, a cleaning arm 106, and a bucket 108.
In some embodiments, the frame 102 may include a plurality of wheels of which first through fourth wheels 110A-110D are shown. The first through fourth wheels 110A-110D may be adapted to maneuver the cleaning apparatus 100 from one place to another. For example, the first through fourth wheels 110A-110D may be adapted to maneuver the cleaning apparatus 100 on the storm drain 130.
The frame 102 may further include an operator console 114 (as explained in detail in FIG. 2). The storm drain 130 may include a drain hole 132 and an internal region 134 such that the drain hole 132 allows access to the cleaning arm 106 to the internal region 134. The internal region 134 may be engulfed by a plurality of walls of which first through fourth walls 136A-136D are shown. The first wall 136A may be disposed on upper side of the storm drain 130 that may form a portion of a ground or road. The second and third walls 136B, 136C may be disposed on lateral sides of the storm drain 130. The term lateral side as used herein refers to the side that extends between the first wall 136A and the fourth wall 136D. The fourth wall 136D may be disposed on lower side of the storm drain 130 that may act as base of the storm drain 130. The operator console 114 may be configured to control cleaning operation of the storm drain 130. The operator console 114 may allow an operator to adjust one or more co-ordinates (hereinafter referred to as “the co-ordinates”) of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130 that may allow manual controlling of the cleaning operation, while cleaning the storm drain 130. In some embodiments, the frame 102 may be a stationary frame such that the frame 102 is fixed at a particular spot, for example, in the vicinity of the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130 to clean the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. The operator console 114, therefore: facilitates manual control or adjustment of the co-ordinates of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130, when the cleaning arm 106 is cleaning the storm drain 130. In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatus 100 may be attached on a mobile platform or a vehicle such as truck, lorry, or the like to move the cleaning apparatus 100 from one place to another. In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatus 100 may be towed by the vehicle to move the cleaning apparatus 100 from one place to another. This eliminates the need of the first through fourth wheels 110A-110D to move the cleaning apparatus 100 from one place to another.
In some embodiments, the operator console 114 may be a joystick, a switch, a touch-screen, or the like.
The adjustment bracket 104 may include a first plate 116, a second plate 118, a movable portion 120, a guideway 122, and a support member 124. The first plate 116 may be disposed at upper side of the adjustment bracket 104. The second plate 118 may be disposed at lower side of the adjustment bracket 104. The guideway 122 may be adapted to extend within the adjustment bracket 104 such that the guideway 122 is coupled to the first plate 116 from one end and coupled to the second plate 118 from another end. The movable portion 120 may be adapted to slide on the guideway 122 such that the movable portion 120 may translate in vertical direction within the first plate 116 and the second plate 118.
In some embodiments, the movable portion 120 may include a pulley (not shown) such that a groove of the pulley engages with the support member 124. The pulley of the movable portion 120 may be adapted to ascend or descend on the support member 124 that enables the movable portion 120 to translate in the vertical direction within the first plate 116 and the second plate 118. The movable portion may be employed with a motor (not shown) such that the motor rotates the pulley that enables the pulley to ascend or descend on the support member 124. The motor may be any kind of motor, for example, electrically powered, hydraulically powered, or pneumatically powered motor. Aspects of the present disclosure are intended to include and/or otherwise cover any type of the motor, including known, related and later developed motors.
In some examples, the movable portion 120 may be adapted to ascend or descend on the support member 124 by any of a lead-screw arrangement (not shown), a rack and pinion arrangement (not shown) or the like arrangement that is capable of translating the movable portion 120 between the first plate 116 and the second plate 118.
In some embodiments, the operator console 114 may facilitate the operator to manually control the translation of the movable portion 120 between the first plate 116 and the second plate 118.
In some embodiments, the adjustment bracket 104 may exhibit suitable design modifications, for example, the adjustment bracket 104 may be provided without the second plate 118.
In some embodiments, the support member 124 may be a tension member, a fixed linkage, or the like member that may be capable of facilitating translation of the movable portion 120 in the vertical direction.
The cleaning arm 106 may include a proximal end 126 and a distal end 128. The proximal end 126 may be coupled to the movable portion 120 of the adjustment bracket 104. By virtue of translation of the movable portion 120 within the first plate 116 and the second plate 118, the adjustment bracket 104 may be adapted to adjust positioning of the cleaning arm 106 with respect to the drain hole 132. The distal end 128 may be disposed opposite the proximal end 126. The bucket 108 may be coupled to the distal end 128 of the cleaning arm 106. The bucket 108 may be adapted to capture dirt, debris or any other solid or liquid waste from the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. The distal end 128 of the cleaning arm 106 may be inserted into the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130 such that the bucket 108 may be adapted to collect dirt from the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
The bucket 108, upon collecting the debris from the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130 may be adapted to dump the debris outside the storm drain 130, for example, in a tray or other dump box (not shown) that may be placed outside the storm drain 130. In one example, the bucket 108 may be adapted to dump the debris in a truck (not shown) such that the truck may collect the debris from a plurality of storm drains 130 to collectively dump all the debris at a suitable place.
In some embodiments, the bucket 108 may be adapted to dump the debris in a tray, a chamber, or the like that may be capable of collecting the debris from the plurality of storm drains 130.
In some embodiments, a first actuator 310 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may be coupled to the movable portion 120 and to the proximal end 126 of the cleaning arm 106. The first actuator 310 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may be adapted to appropriately maneuver the cleaning arm 106 such that the distal end 128 of the cleaning arm 106 may get inserted into the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130. The maneuvering of the cleaning arm 106 may include any kind of movement for example, pitching of the cleaning arm 106, yawing of the cleaning arm 106, and rolling of the cleaning arm 106.The first actuator 310 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may be further adapted to lower down or raise the cleaning arm 106 to appropriately adjust the cleaning arm 106 that facilitates insertion of the cleaning arm 106 into the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130. The first actuator 310 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may therefore allow multiple degrees of freedom for the cleaning arm 106. The first actuator 310 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may be any kind of actuator, for example, a hydraulically powered actuator, a pneumatically powered actuator, or an electrically powered actuator.
The cleaning arm 106 may be an extendable arm such that the length of the cleaning arm 106 may be varied, while insertion of the cleaning arm 106 into the drain hole 132 and while cleaning the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
In some embodiments, a second actuator 312 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may be coupled to the proximal end 126 of the cleaning arm 106. The second actuator 312 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may facilitate one of, an extension and a retraction of the cleaning arm 106 while the cleaning arm 106 performs the cleaning operation within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. The second actuator 312 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may be any kind of actuator, for example, a hydraulically powered actuator, a pneumatically powered actuator, or an electrically powered actuator. The second actuator 312 (as shown later in FIG. 3) may further be configured to rotate the cleaning arm 106, while the cleaning arm 106 performs the cleaning operation within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
In some embodiments, the second actuator 312 may be coupled to the distal end 128 of the cleaning arm 106 such that the second actuator 312 facilitates extension and retraction of the cleaning arm 106.
In some exemplary embodiments, the second actuator 312 may be a lead-screw arrangement (not shown) having a screw (not shown) and a threaded rod (not shown), to enable extension and retraction of the cleaning arm 106. The lead-screw arrangement, upon rotation of the screw on the threaded rod, may facilitate extension and retraction of the cleaning arm 106. In another example, the second actuator 312 may be a rack and pinion arrangement (not shown) having a rack (not shown) and a pinion (not shown), to enable extension and retraction of the cleaning arm 106. The rack and pinion arrangement, upon rolling of the pinion on the rack, may facilitate extension and retraction of the cleaning arm 106.
In some embodiments, the cleaning arm 106 may be a telescopic arm such that a plurality of telescopic blocks (not shown) are arranged one after the another. The telescopic blocks may be adapted to collapse or expand in order to retract or extend the cleaning arm 106, respectively.
In some embodiments, the cleaning arm 106 may extend in horizontal direction and in vertical direction within the internal region 134, while cleaning the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
In some embodiments, the first and second actuators 312 and 312 may be disposed at a suitable place on the cleaning apparatus 100 such that the first and second actuators 310 and 312 facilitates control or adjustment of the cleaning arm 106 through a plurality of linkages (not shown). The linkages may be coupled to the cleaning arm 106. To adjust the co-ordinates of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134, the first and second actuators 310 and 312 may be adapted to enable mobility of the linkages such that the linkages transfer the required mobility to the cleaning arm 106.
In some embodiments, the bucket 108 may be coupled to the cleaning arm 106 anywhere between the proximal end 126 and the distal end 128 of the cleaning arm 106.
In some embodiments, the cleaning arm 106 may be adapted to insert within a man-hole such that the bucket 108 captures dirt, debris or any other solid or liquid waste from the man-hole.
Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the cleaning apparatus 100 includes one bucket i.e., the bucket 108, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the cleaning apparatus 100 may include more than one buckets without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each bucket is configured to perform one or more operations in a manner similar to the operations of the bucket 108 as described above.
Although FIG. 1 illustrates that the storm drain 130 includes one drain hole, i.e., the drain hole 132, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to it. In various other aspects, the storm drain 130 may include more than one drain holes without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. In such a scenario, each drain hole is configured to allow insertion of the cleaning arm 106 to perform one or more operations of the cleaning arm 106, i.e., to clean the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
In operation, the cleaning apparatus 100 may be adapted to clean the storm drain 130. Once, the cleaning apparatus 100 is parked at a suitable location, the adjustment bracket 104 may be adapted to adjust the position of the cleaning arm 106 with respect to the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130 to enable insertion of the cleaning arm 106 into the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130. Upon insertion of the cleaning arm 106 into the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130, the cleaning arm 106 may appropriately displace within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130 to clean the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. The cleaning arm 106 may be adapted to extend or retract to optimize the reach of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. To perform cleaning operation of the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130, the bucket 108 may be adapted to collect any kind of debris, dirt, or waste from the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. The bucket, after collecting the dirt or debris from the internal region 134, may be adapted to dump the debris into the truck or any other external tray or dump box.
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the bucket 108 of the cleaning apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 in a shovel position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. In other words, the bucket 108 may be adapted to exhibit the shovel position. The bucket 108 in the shovel position may be adapted to perform shovelling operation to collect the debris from different parts of the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130 to accumulate the debris to form a stack of the debris at a suitable place within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the bucket 108 of the cleaning apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 in an open position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. Upon performing the shovelling operation, the bucket 108 in the open position may be adapted to grab or capture the stack of the accumulated debris from the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. In other words, the bucket 108 may be adapted to exhibit a grab position to grab or capture one of, the dirt, the dust, the debris, the solid waste, and the liquid waste from the storm drain 130.
FIG. 2C illustrates a perspective view of the bucket 108 of the cleaning apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 in a closed position, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The bucket 108, upon collecting the debris from the internal region 134 may be adapted to lift out from the internal region 134 in the closed position. Upon lifting out of the bucket 108 from the internal region 134 may dump the debris outside the storm drain 130, for example, in a tray or other dump box (not shown) that may be placed outside the storm drain 130.
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram 300 of the cleaning apparatus 100, in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. The cleaning apparatus 100 may further include a plurality of sensors 302a-302n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the sensors 302”) and a plurality of cameras 304a-304n (hereinafter collectively referred to and designated as “the cameras 304”). The sensors 302 and the cameras 304 may be coupled at a suitable position on the cleaning arm 106.
In some embodiments, the sensors 302 and the cameras 304 may be coupled at any suitable position on the cleaning apparatus 100.
The sensors 302 may be configured to sense a first set of signals representing a first set of parameters in the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. The cameras 304 may be adapted to capture a second set of parameters in the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
In some embodiments, the sensors 302 may include but not limited to proximity sensors, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors, sound navigation and ranging (SONAR) sensors, or the like.
In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cleaning apparatus 100 may further include a plurality of position sensors (not shown) that may be adapted to determine a position of the cleaning apparatus 100 with respect to the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130. The plurality of position sensors may therefore advantageously facilitate an efficient insertion of the cleaning arm 106 in the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130.
In some embodiments, the first set of parameters may include type of debris in the internal region 134 and quantity of debris in the internal region 134.
In some embodiments, the second set of parameters may include visuals i.e., one or more images and one or more videos of the internal region 134.
The operator console 114 of the frame 102 of the cleaning apparatus 100 may further include a first processing circuitry 306, a second processing circuitry 308, and a display 310.
The first processing circuitry 306 may be coupled to the sensors 302 and the cameras 304 such that the first processing circuitry 306 may receive the first and second set of parameters from the sensors 302 and the cameras 304, respectively. The first processing circuitry 306 may be configured to perform one or more operations, for example, to process the first and second set of parameters. The first processing circuitry 306 may be further coupled to the first and second actuators 310 and 312 such that, upon processing the first and second parameters, the first processing circuitry 306 may generate an instruction signal 306a and transmit the instruction signal 306a to the first and second actuators 310 and 312. The first and second actuators 310 and 312, upon receipt of the instruction signal 306a, may be configured to respond such that the first and second actuators 310 and 312 may adjust co-ordinates of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130, while cleaning the storm drain 130. The first processing circuitry 306, therefore: facilitates automatic control or adjustment of the co-ordinates of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130, when the cleaning arm 106 is cleaning the storm drain 130.
The second processing circuitry 308 may be coupled to the sensors 302 and the cameras 304 such that the second processing circuitry 308 may receive the first and second set of parameters from the sensors and the cameras, respectively. The second processing circuitry 308 may be configured to perform one or more operations, for example, to process the first and second set of parameters. The second processing circuitry 308 may further be coupled to the display 314. The second processing circuitry 308, upon processing the first and second set of parameters, may be configured to relay a status of cleaning operation of the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130, on the display 314. Based on the status of the cleaning operation, the operator console 114 may allow the operator to adjust the co-ordinates of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatus 100 may further include an alert unit (not shown). The alert unit may be adapted to, upon breach of the cleaning operation, provide alert to the operator. The breach of the cleaning operation as used herein refers to misalignment in placement of the cleaning arm 106 with respect to the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130 or failure of the cleaning arm 106 while cleaning the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. Upon breach of the cleaning operation, the cleaning apparatus 100 may be adapted to cease the cleaning operation. The cleaning operation may be ceased by preventing or restricting the movement of the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130. The cleaning apparatus 100 may further be adapted to modify the cleaning operation, upon breaching of the cleaning operation. The modification in the cleaning operation refers to modification in the steps involved in placing the cleaning arm 106 within the internal region 134 and cleaning the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
In some embodiments, the cleaning apparatus 100 may be powered by a power generator (not shown) such as an internal-combustion engine, a solar power generator, a battery, or the like. The power generator may be adapted to power the first and second actuators 310 and 312, the sensors 302, the cameras 304, and the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 of the cleaning apparatus 100.
In some embodiments, the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may be any or a combination of microprocessor, microcontroller, Arduino Uno, At mega 328, Raspberry Pi or other similar processing unit, and the like. In yet another embodiment, the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may include one or more processors coupled with a memory (not shown) such that the memory storing computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors.
In some embodiments, the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate data based on operational instructions stored in a memory. The computer-readable instructions or routines stored in the memory may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service. The memory may include any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as RAM, or non-volatile memory such as EPROM, flash memory, and the like.
In some embodiments, the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308. In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may be processor executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may include a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308. In such examples, the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may include the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 and the processing resource. In other examples, the first and second processing circuitries 306 and 308 may be implemented by an electronic circuitry.
Thus, the cleaning apparatus 100 may provide following advantages that may be derived from the structural and functional aspects of the cleaning apparatus 100: -
- The cleaning apparatus 100 is capable of efficiently cleaning the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
- The cleaning arm 106 is capable of exhibiting multiple degrees of freedom within the internal region 134 of the storm drain 130.
- The position of the cleaning arm 106 can be adjusted with respect to the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130.
- The adjustment bracket 104 ensures easy insertion of the cleaning arm 106 into the drain hole 132 of the storm drain 130.
- The maneuverability of the cleaning apparatus 100 facilitates quick reaching of the cleaning apparatus 100 near to the drain hole 132.
- The cleaning apparatus 100 prevents choking of the storm drain 130 and thereby ensures quick egression of rain water from a particular region.
- The cleaning apparatus 100 exhibits a simple set up, while cleaning the storm drain 130.
The foregoing discussion of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the form or forms disclosed herein. In the foregoing Detailed Description, for example, various features of the present disclosure are grouped together in one or more aspects, configurations, or aspects for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, configurations, or aspects may be combined in alternate aspects, configurations, or aspects other than those discussed above. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention the present disclosure requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed aspect, configuration, or aspect. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate aspect of the present disclosure.
Moreover, though the description of the present disclosure has included description of one or more aspects, configurations, or aspects and certain variations and modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications are within the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill and knowledge of those in the art, after understanding the present disclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternative aspects, configurations, or aspects to the extent permitted, including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not such alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions, ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publicly dedicate any patentable subject matter.
,CLAIMS:1. A cleaning apparatus (100) comprising:
an adjustment bracket (104) comprising:
a movable portion (120); and
a guideway (122) that extends within the adjustment bracket (104) such that the movable portion (120) slides on the guideway (122) to translate in a vertical direction;
a cleaning arm (106) that is coupled to the movable portion (120) such that the movable portion (120), upon translating in the vertical direction, facilitates adjustment of the cleaning arm (106) to insert the cleaning arm (106) in a drain hole (132) of a storm drain (130).

2. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment bracket (104) further comprising:
a first plate (116) that is disposed at an upper side of the adjustment bracket (104); and
a second plate (118) that is disposed at a lower side of the adjustment bracket (104), wherein the movable portion (120) translates in the vertical direction within the first plate (116) and the second plate (118).

3. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a bucket (108) that is coupled to the cleaning arm (106) and adapted to exhibit a shovel position and a grab position to capture one of, dirt, dust, debris, solid waste, and liquid waste from the storm drain (130).

4. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cleaning arm (106) comprising:
a proximal end (126) coupled to the movable portion (120); and
a distal end (128) that is disposed opposite to the proximal end (126) such that the distal end (128) is inserted in the drain hole (132).

5. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bucket (108) is coupled to the distal end (128) such that the bucket (108) is inserted in the drain hole (132) to capture one of, the dirt, the dust, the debris, the solid waste, and the liquid waste from the storm drain (130).

6. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:
a first actuator (310) that is coupled to the movable portion (120) and the proximal end (126) and adapted to manoeuvre the cleaning arm (106) to facilitate insertion of the distal end (128) in the drain hole (132); and
a second actuator (312) that is coupled to the proximal end (126) and adapted to facilitate one of, an extension, a retraction, and a rotation of the cleaning arm (106) while the cleaning arm (106) performs a cleaning operation in the storm drain (130).

7. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an operator console (114) that facilitates an operator to adjust one or more co-ordinates of the cleaning arm (106) within an internal region (134) of the storm drain (130).

8. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:
a plurality of sensors (302a-302n) that are configured to sense a first set of signals representing a first set of parameters in the internal region (134), wherein the first set of parameters comprising type of debris and quantity of the debris in the internal region (134); and
a plurality of cameras (304a-304n) that are configured to capture a second set of parameters in the internal region (134), wherein the second set of parameters comprising one or more images and one or more videos of the internal region (134).

9. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a first processing circuitry (306) that is coupled to the plurality of sensors (302a-302n), a plurality of cameras (304a-304n), and the first and second actuators (310, 312) and configured to generate an instruction signal (306a) based on the first and second set of parameters, wherein the first and second actuators (310, 312), upon receipt of the instruction signal (306a), facilitates adjustment of the one or more co-ordinates of the cleaning arm (106).

10. The cleaning apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a second processing circuitry (308) that is coupled to the plurality of sensors (302a-302n) and a plurality of cameras (304a-304n) and configured to relay a status of the cleaning operation of the internal region (134).