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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a device capable of suction-adhering to an
inclined wall surface or the like and moving therealong.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
A device capable of suction-adhering to an inclined or substantially
perpendicular wall surface in ships, buildings, etc. and moving therealong
is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,378. Such a device
comprises a main body which undergoes the action of an ambient fluid
pressure, a seal wall mounted on the main body, vacuum creating means for
evacuating a reduced pressure space defined by the main body, the seal
wall and a wall surface, and travelling means mounted on the main body.
When the vacuum creating means is energized in this device, the pressure
reduction space is reduced in pressure, and the main body of the device is
caused to adhere to a wall surface by the pressure of the ambient fluid
which acts on the main body owing to a difference in fluid pressure
between the inside and outside of the pressure reduction space. When the
travelling means is energized while the main body is adhering to the wall
surface, it is moved along the wall surface. In the conventional device of
this type, the travelling means is comprised of a wheel (a driving wheel
to be rotated or a combination of such a driving wheel and a follower
wheel to be driven), or an endless track. Hence, the travelling means is
complex and large-sized, and the entire device becomes complex and
large-sized and requires a higher cost of building. Since the entire
device increases in size, vacuum creating means of greater ability should
be used. This also adds to the cost of building. Moreover, if the entire
device increases in size, it fails to suction-adhere to a wall surface of
a large curvature, and the range of its use is restricted inconveniently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of this invention to provide an excellent device
which can suction-adhere to a wall surface and move therealong with a
simple structure.
Another object of this invention is to provide an excellent device which is
smaller in size and lower in the cost of building than in the prior art.
According to this invention, there is provided a device comprising a main
body and vibration generating means mounted on the main body, said
vibration generating means being adapted to impart a force in a direction
away from a wall surface and a force in a predetermined direction along
the wall surface to the main body by the vibration it generates, and
consequently to move the main body in said predetermined direction along
the wall surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of the device
constructed in accordance with this invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III--III of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the principal parts of a modification of
the device of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the device of
this invention; and
FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
First Embodiment
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first embodiment of the invention will
be described.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated embodiment has a main body shown
generally at 2. The main body 2 is comprised of a main body portion 4 and
a rotary securing portion 6 secured to the main body portion 4 in such a
manner as to be free to rotate relative to the main body portion 4. The
main body portion 4 has a short cylindrical lower portion 8 and an upper
portion 10 projecting cylindrically from nearly the central part of the
upper surface of the lower portion 8. The lower portion 8 and the upper
portion 10 define a space through which they communicate with each other.
A nearly circular opening 14 is formed in the under surface in FIG. 1 of
the lower portion (that surface which faces a wall surface 12 when the
device is in operation). A seal member 16 is disposed in the opening 14 of
the lower portion 8. The seal member 16 has an annular seal portion 20
defining a pressure reduction space 18 to be described and a receiving
portion 22 for receiving the main body 2 of the device. A plurality of
circumferentially spaced holes are formed in the inside edge part of the
seal portion 20, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes are
also formed in the opening 14 of the lower portion 8. An annular securing
plate 24 is provided for fixing the seal porton 20, and a plurality of
threaded rods 26 are fixed to the securing plate 24 by such means as
welding. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the threaded rods 26 passes through
the hole of the seal portion 20 and the hole of the lower portion 8, and
projects inwardly thereof, and a fixing nut 28 is applied to the
projecting end portion, whereby the inside edge part of the seal portion
20 is fixed between the annular securing plate 24 and the opening portion
of the lower portion 8. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1, the seal portion
20 is provided with a main portion 30 extending from its one end connected
to the lower portion 8 outwardly toward a contact portion 28 to come into
contact with the wall surface 12 in a direction approaching the wall
surface 12 and an extension 32 extending from the contact portion 28
outwardly toward the other end in a direction away from the wall surface
12. Because of this arrangement, the seal portion 20 can easily ride over
protrusions which may exist on the wall surface 12. As can be seen from
FIG. 1, the seal portion 20 in the seal member 16 defines the pressure
reduction space 18 in cooperation with the main body portion 4 (the lower
portion 4 and an upper portion 6) of the main body 2 and the wall surface
12. The receiving portion 22 of the seal member 20 is comprised of an
annular member, and fixed to the under surface of the securing plate 24 by
such means as the use of an adhesive. The receiving portion 22, as will be
described hereinafter, acts to transmit the pressure of an ambient fluid
acting on the main body 2 of the device to the wall surface. The seal
portion 20 and the receiving portion 22 may be formed of synthetic rubber
such as polyurethane rubber. In the illustrated embodiment, the seal
portion 20 and the receiving portion 22 in the seal member 16 are formed
separately. If desired, however, they may be formed as a one-piece unit.
In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 2 of the device is received
by the receiving portion 22. If desired, the receiving portion 22 may be
omitted, and the main body 2 may be received by the seal portion 20. When
the main body 2 is to be received by the receiving portion 22 as in the
illustrated embodiment, it is preferred to provide communication channels
34 permitting communication between a space defined between the seal
portion 20 and the receiving portion 22 and a space defined inwardly of
the receiving portion 22 (for example, a plurality of such communicating
channels may be provided in spaced-apart relationship at that part of the
receiving portion 22 which is to make contact with the wall surface 12).
This structure enables the pressure in the pressure reduction space 18 to
act on the seal portion 20 via the communication channels 34. The shape of
the sealing member 16 is not limited to the one described above, and it
may be of any other shape in which the seal member 16 defines the pressure
reduction space 18 in cooperation with the main body 2 and the wall
surface 12. The seal member 16 may be formed of a brush or the like.
The pressure reduction space 18 is connected to vacuum creating means 35
such as a vacuum pump. In the illustrated embodiment, a connecting portion
36 is formed integrally in the side wall of the lower portion 8, and one
end of a flexible hose 38 is connected to the connecting portion 36. Its
other end portion communicates with the vacuum creating means 35.
Accordingly, upon energization of the vacuum creating means 35, a fluid in
the pressure reduction space 18 is discharged outside through the
connecting portion 36 and the hose 38, and the pressure reduction space 18
is reduced in pressure as is desired.
The rotary securing portion 6 is mounted on the main body portion 4 in the
following manner. The rotary securing portion 6 in the illustrated
embodiment is comprised of an annular plate 40, and as shown in FIG. 1,
the upper portion 10 of the main body portion 4 projects upwardly through
a circular opening defined in the annular plate 40. A plurality of (five
in the illustrated embodiment) circumferentially spaced holes (one of
which is shown in FIG. 1) are formed in the annular plate 40, and a
threaded rod 42 is fitted into each of the holes by means of a bolt 44. A
roller 46 is rotatably mounted on one end portion of each threaded rod 42,
and a hollow cylindrical spacer 48 fitted over the intermediate part of
the threaded rods 42 is interposed between one end portion of each
threaded rod 42 and the annular plate 40. The spacer 48 maintains the
distance between the annular plate 40 and the roller 46 at a predetermined
value. A guide channel 50 is defined entirely on the peripheral surface of
the lower end portion of the upper portion 10, and the rollers 46 are
movably received in the guide channel 50. Thus, when the rotary securing
portion 6 is rotated in the direction shown by an arrow 52 (or 54)
relative to the main body portion 4, each roller 46 moves along the guide
channel 50 while rolling to permit smooth rotation of the rotary securing
portion 6 relative to the main body portion 4.
An operating handle 56 for rotating the rotary securing portion 6 is
provided in the annular plate 40. The operating handle 56 is formed of a
nearly U-shaped material and its both end portions are fixed to the
annular plate 40 by welding or otherwise.
Vibration generating means 58 is also secured to the annular plate 40 in
order to impart a moving force to the main body 2 of the device. A block
piece 60 is fixed by welding or otherwise to that site of the annular
plate 40 which is opposite to the site at which the operating handle 56 is
disposed. A cylinder mechanism 62, such as a pneumatic cylinder mechanism,
which constitutes the vibration generating means is mounted on the block
piece 60. The cylinder mechanism 62 is comprised of a housing 64 and a
piston 66 disposed movably within the housing 64. A rod portion 66a of the
piston 66, which projects through the cylinder housing 64, is secured to
the block piece 60. As shown in FIG. 1, the securing surface 60a of the
block piece 60 is inclined, and therefore, the cylinder mechanism 62
secured to the securing surface 60a extends at an inclination angle
.alpha. to the wall surface 12 to which the main body 2 of the device
suction-adheres. The inclination angle .alpha. may be about 30 to 70
degrees, and in the illustrated embodiment, it is substantially 45
degrees. It will be easily understood from the description given
hereinafter that if the inclination angle .alpha. is increased, the force
in a direction away from the wall surface 12 which is to be applied to the
main body 2 of the device increases, and therefore in order to fully
overcome the suction-adhering force of the main body 2 with respect to the
wall surface 12, it is preferred to make the inclination angle .alpha.
greater. On the other hand, if the inclination angle .alpha. is decreased,
the force in a direction along the wall surface 12 which is to be applied
to the main body 2 of the device increases, and therefore, in order to
fully obtain the moving force in the moving direction, it is preferred to
set this inclination angle .alpha. at a relatively small value.
The cylinder mechanism 62 is connected to a pressure fluid supply source 68
such as a compressor. When a pressure fluid such as compressed air is
supplied from the pressure fluid supply source 68, the cylinder mechanism
62 is stretched and contracted, and the cylinder housing 64 is moved in
the direction shown by an arrow 70 or 72 relative to the piston 66 fixed
to the block piece 60. The cylinder housing 64 moves from the contracted
position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 to a stretched portion shown by a
two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow 70 and comes into
collision with the piston 66 to generate a vibration. The vibration, in
turn, produces a force tending to move the main body 2 along the wall
surface 12. Specifically, when the cylinder housing 64 moves in the
direction of arrow 70 and collides with the piston 66, a force tending
outwardly of an axis 74 (FIG. 1) is generated in the cylinder mechanism
62, and acts on the main body 2 of the device. It will be understood from
FIG. 1 that the force so exerted can be divided into a force in a
direction away from the wall surface 12 (the force substantially
perpendicular to the wall surface 12(and a force in a direction along the
wall surface 12 (the force substantially parallel the wall surface). The
force in a direction away from the wall surface 12 acts to move the main
body 2 away from the wall surface against the suction-adhering force of
the main body 2 to the wall surface 12. The force in a direction along the
wall surface 12 acts to move the main body 2 along the wall surface 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, a compression coil spring 76 constituting
biasing means is interposed between the securing surface 60a of the
securing block piece 60 and the cylinder housing 64 of the cylinder
mechanism 62 so as to fit over the rod 66a. The compression coil spring 76
always biases the cylinder housing 64 elastically in the direction of
arrow 70 to increase the moving speed of the cylinder housing 64 in the
direction of arrow 70. Thus, the impact which occurs upon collision of the
cylinder housing 64 with the piston 66 increases and the above-mentioned
force is amplified. A piston vibrator sold as Model NTK25 by Netter
Company, West Germany, for example, may be used as the cylinder mechanism
62. If desired, instead of the cylinder mechanism 62, various known
vibration generating means, such as electromagnetically operable means,
may be used as the vibration generating means 58.
In the illustrated embodiment, the inside part of the lower portion 4 is
made lower than its outside part, and the annular plate 40 and the rollers
46 are arranged in an annular space existing between the outside part and
the lower part of the upper portion 10. Hence, the center of gravity of
the main body 2 can be lowered by causing the cylinder mechanism 62 to
considerably approach the wall surface 12, and the tumbling of the device
can be prevented.
The device in the illustrated embodiment further includes treating means
for treating the wall surface 12 in a required manner. With reference also
to FIG. 3, the illustrated treating means is provided with a nozzle 78
disposed in the open upper end of the upper portion 10. The nozzle 78 is
nearly L-shaped, and to its one end portion is fixed a fixing flange 80 by
welding or other means. On the other hand, a supporting plate 82 is fixed
to the upper end portion of the upper portion 10 by welding or otherwise.
A pair of projecting supporting pieces 84 projecting upwardly are fixed to
the upper surface of the supporting plate 82. A rod member 90 having an
external thread formed at one end portion is rotatably linked to the upper
end portion of each projecting supporting piece 84 via a bolt 86 and a nut
88. One end portion of the rod member 90 projects through a hole formed in
a swing plate 92, and by applying a nut 94 to the projecting portion of
each rod member 90, the swing plate 92 is mounted across the pair of rod
members 90. A hole is formed nearly centrally in the swing plate 92. The
nozzle 78 is secured to the swing plate 92 by positioning one end portion
of the nozzle 78 in the hole of the swing plate 92 and attaching its
flange 80 to the inside edge portion of the swing plate 92 by means of a
bolt 96 and a nut 98. In the illustrated embodiment, cylinder mechanisms
100 such as pneumatic cylinder mechanisms are interposed between the swing
plate 92 and the supporting plate 82. Part of the supporting plate 82
extends in an inclined manner outwardly and upwardly, and a pair of
linking pieces 102 are fixed to its inclined upper end portion. A pair of
spaced linking pieces 104 are also fixed to the upper surface of the swing
plate 92, and cylinders 108 of the cylinder mechanisms 100 are linked
pivotally to the linking pieces respectively via pins 106, and output rods
112 of the cylinder mechanisms 100 are respectively linked pivotally to
the linking pieces 104 via pins 110. The cylinder mechanisms 100 are
connected to a pressure fluid supply sources 114 such as compressors and
stretched and contracted by a pressure fluid such as compressed air from
the pressure fluid supply source 114. When the cylinder mechanisms 100 are
stretched, the nozzle 78, the swing plate 92 and the pair of rod members
90 pivot in the direction shown by an arrow 116 (FIG. 1) about the bolt 86
as a center. Accordingly, an impinging port 118 formed in the nozzle 78
points to the direction shown by a one-dot chain line 120 in FIG. 1. When
the cylinder mechanisms 100 are contracted, the nozzle 78 and the swing
plate 92 likewise pivot in the direction shown by an arrow 122 about the
bolt 86 as a center, and the impinging port 118 of the nozzle 78 points to
the direction shown by a one-dot chain line 124. The other end portion of
the nozzle 78 is connected to a hose 130 formed of, for example, a
synthetic rubber by a packing 126 and a nozzle holder 128. The hose 130 is
connected to a treating material supply source 132 for supplying a surface
treating material such as high-pressure water. A flexible rubber cover 133
is disposed in the upper open end of the upper portion 10, and its one end
portion is attached to the upper end of the upper portion 10. The other
end portion of the rubber cover 133 is attached to one end portion of the
nozzle 78. The cover 133 covers the upper open surface of the upper
portion 10 of the main body and hampers intrusion of the fluid from the
open upper surface. Hence, the surface treating material from the treating
material supply source 132 passes through the hose 130 and is impinged
against the wall surface 12 from the impinging port 118 of the nozzle 78,
and by the stretching and contraction of the cylinder mechanisms 100, the
surface treating material is applied to an area between the one-dot chain
lines 120 and 124. Instead of high-pressure water, such a treating
material as an abrasive material or a cleaning material (optionally
together with compressed air) may be ejected from the nozzle 78.
The operation and effect of the device of the first embodiment above will
now be described.
Mainly with reference to FIG. 1, when the vacuum creating means 35 is
energized, a fluid such as air in the pressure reduction space 18 is
discharged outside through the hose 38, and the pressure reduction space
18 is reduced in pressure. As a result, owing to the difference in fluid
pressure between the inside and outside of the pressure reduction space
18, an ambient fluid pressure such as atmospheric pressure acts on the
main body portion 4 of the main body 2 of the device, and the main body 2
suction-adheres to the wall surface 12. As can be seen from FIG. 1, in
this suction-adhering state, the force acting on the main body 2 of the
device is transmitted to the wall surface 12 mainly via the annular
receiving portion 22 of the seal member 16. Furthermore, the fluid
pressure acting on the seal portion 20 of the seal member 16 owing to the
difference in fluid pressure between the inside and outside of the
pressure reduction space 18 is transmitted to the wall surface 12 via the
contacting portion 28 of the seal portion 20. Consequently, a seal is
maintained between the seal portion 20 and the wall surface 12 by the
fluid pressure.
When the pressure fluid supply source 68 is energized in the above
suction-adhering state, the cylinder mechanism 62 is stretched and
contracted by the action of a pressure fluid such as compressed air from
the pressure fluid supply source 68. As a result, by the impact generated
every time the cylinder mechanism 62 stretches, a vibration tending to
move the main body 2 of the device acts on the main body 2, and the device
moves while suction-adhering to the wall surface 12. When the cylinder
housing 64 moves in the direction of arrow 70 and comes into collision
with the piston 66, the impact force generates a force lifting in a
direction away from the wall surface 12 and a moving force in a direction
along the wall surface 12 in the rotary securing portion 6. These forces
are transmitted to the main body portion 4 via the bolts 44 and the
rollers 46. The force in the direction away from the wall surface 12
weakens the suction-adhering force of the main body 2, and the force in
the direction along the wall surface 12 imparts a moving force to the main
body 2. Consequently, the device suction-adhering to the wall surface 12
is moved in a direction in which the cylinder mechanism 62 is inclined
upwardly by the impact force generated at the time of collision, i.e. to
the left in FIG. 1. The force in the direction away from the wall surface
12 and the force in the direction along the wall surface 12 which are
imparted by the cylinder mechanism 62 act simultaneously at the time of
collision of the cylinder housing 64 and the piston 66. Accordingly, when
the force in the direction away from the wall surface 12 acts to weaken
the frictional force between the receiving portion 22 of the seal member 6
and the wall surface 12, the force in the direction along the wall surface
12 acts to perform the above movement of the device effectively. Even when
the main body 2 of the device (particularly, the receiving portion 22)
separates from the wall surface 12 by the force in the direction away from
the wall surface 12 at the time of collision, the seal portion 20 of the
seal member 16 is further elastically deformed toward the wall surface 12
owing to the difference in fluid pressure between the inside and outside
of the pressure reduction space 18. Hence, the seal between the contacting
portion 28 of the seal portion 20 and the wall surface 12 is never broken.
When the treating material supply source 132 is energized, a treating
material such as high-pressure water passes through the hose 130 and is
impinged against the wall surface 12 from the nozzle 78. As a result,
foreign materials such as rust and degraded paint existing on the wall
surface 12 can be removed by the high-pressure water from the nozzle 78.
The removed foreign material are preferably collected by a dust collector
or the like connected to the vacuum creating means 35. By impinging the
treating material while the main body 2 of the device is adhering to, and
moving along, the wall surface 12, the substantially entire area of the
wall surface 12 can be treated as is required.
When the pressure fluid supply source 114 is energized to stretch or
contract the cylinder mechanisms 100 during impinging of the treating
material, the nozzle 78 revolves about the bolt 86 as a center between an
angular position shown by a two-dot chain line 78A in FIG. 1 and an
angular position shown by a two-dot chain line 78B, and the treating
material is impinged against the area between the two-dot chain lines 120
land 124. As a result, the treating material is impinged over a broad
range and the surface treating job can be carried out with good
efficiency.
The travelling direction of the device may be changed by operating the
operating handle 56 and rotates the rotary securing portion 6 in the
direction of arrow 52 or 54 (FIG. 2) with respect to the main body portion
4. As a result, the position of the cylinder mechanism 62 to the main body
portion 4 changes and the main body 2 moves in the inclined direction of
the displaced cylinder mechanism 62.
In the first embodiment, the rotary securing portion is rotated with
respect to the main body portion 4 by the operator's manipulation of the
operating handle 56. Alternatively, it is possible to change the
travelling direction of the main body 2 of the device by the action of a
driving source as shown in FIG. 4.
In FIG. 4, a supporting plate 151' instead of the operating handle is
mounted on the rotary securing portion 6', and an electric motor 154'
constituting a driving source is secured to the supporting plate 152'. The
electric motor 154' and the main body portion 4' are drivingly connected
via a bevel gear mechanism 56'. A small bevel gear 158' is mounted on the
output shaft of the electric motor 154'. A large bevel gear 160' is
mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the upper portion 10' of
the main body portion 4'. These two gears 158' and 160' are in mesh with
each other. Thus, when the electric motor 154' is energized, the small
bevel gear 158' revolves around the large bevel gear 160' of the main body
portion 4' since the seal member 16' mounted on the main body portion 4'
is in contact with the wall surface 12'. As a result, the rotary securing
portion 6' is rotated with respect to the main body portion 4'.
In the first embodiment, the cylinder mechanism is provided in the rotary
securing portion 6 rotatable with respect to the main body portion 4. If
desired, the moving direction of the main body 2 of the device may be
changed by omitting the rotary securing portion 6, mounting a plurality of
circumferentially spaced cylinder mechanism in the main body portion 6 and
selecting the cylinder mechanism to be energized.
Second Embodiment
With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second embodiment of the device of
this invention will be described. In the second embodiment, the structure
of the main body of the device and the vibration generating means are
altered.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, the illustrated device is provided with a main body shown
generally at 202. The main body 202 includes a disc-like main body portion
204 and a cover portion 206 disposed nearly centrally in the main body
portion 204. As in the first embodiment, a seal member 212 consisting of a
seal portion 208 and a receiving portion 210 is mounted on the peripheral
edge part of the main body portion 204. The seal member 212 cooperates
with the main body 202 of the device and a wall surface 214 and define a
pressure reduction space 216. The cover portion 206 of the main body 202
has a hollow semi-cylindrical main wall 218 semicircular end walls 220
(FIG. 4 shows only one of them) disposed on both ends of the main wall
218, and flange portions 222 provided at the main wall 218 and the end
walls 220 are fixed to the main body portion 204 by means of a plurality
of bolts 224 and nuts 226 (see FIG. 5 in particular).
In the second embodiment, an operating handle 228 for switching over the
moving direction of the main body 202 is fixed to the main wall 218. By
moving the operating handle 228 in the direction shown by an arrow 230 or
232, the moving direction of the main body 202 can be changed to the right
or left. A connecting portion 234 is integrally provided in the main wall
218. A rubber hose 236 which communicates with vacuum creating means 238
such as a vacuum pump is connected to the connecting portion 234. Hence,
when the vacuum creating means 238 is energized, a fluid such as air in
the pressure reduction space 216 is discharged outside through an opening
formed in the main body portion 204, the inside of the cover portion 206
and the rubber hose 236.
In the second embodiment, vibration generating means 240 for moving the
main body 202 of the device is disposed within the cover portion 206 of
the main body 202 of the device. A rotating shaft 242 is mounted rotatably
across the pair of end walls 220 of the cover portion 206 via a bearing
member (not shown). The intermediate part (the part existing between the
pair of end walls 220) of the rotating shaft 242 has mounted thereon a
sleeve shaft 244, and the rotating shaft 242 and the sleeve shaft 244 are
drivingly connected via a key member 246. A semicircular eccentric weight
248 and a semiarcuate brush holder 250 are secured to the sleeve shaft 244
by positioning the eccentric weight 248 and the brush holder 250 on the
outer circumferential surface of the sleeve shaft 244 and clamping them by
means of bolts 252. Cricumferentially spaced bristles which may be formed
of a synthetic resin such as nylon are implanted in the brush holder 250
over substantially its entire width in the longitudinal direction to form
a brush 254. One end portion of the rotating shaft 242 projects outwardly
through one end wall, and a pulley 256 is mounted on the projecting end
portion. A securing stand 258 is fixed to the outside surface of the main
wall 218 of the cover portion 206, and an electric motor 260 constituting
a driving source is mounted on the securing stand 258. Preferably, the
electric motor 260 can be rotated both in a normal direction and in a
reverse direction. A pulley 264 fixed to the output shaft 262 of the
electric motor 260 and the above pulley 256 are drivingly connected via a
transmission member such as a belt 266 (FIG. 6). When the electric motor
rotates in the normal direction (or in the reverse direction), the
rotating shaft 242 is rotated in the direction shown by an arrow 270 (or
272) (FIG. 5) via the pulley 264, the belt 266 and the the pulley 256.
With reference mainly to FIG. 5, when the vacuum creating means 238 is
energized in the second embodiment, the fluid in the pressure reduction
space 216 is discharged outside through the hose 236, and the pressure is
reduced in the pressure reduction space 216. As a result, as in the first
embodiment, an ambient fluid pressure such as air acts on the main body
202 of the device (the main body portion 204 and the cover portion 206)
owing to the difference in fluid pressure between the inside and outside
of the pressure reduction space 216, and the main body 202 suction-adheres
to the wall surface 214.
When the electric motor 260 (FIG. 6) is rotated in the normal direction (or
reverse direction) in the above suction-adhering state, its rotating force
is transmitted to the rotating shaft 242 via the pulley 264, the belt 266
and the pulley 256 to rotate the sleeve shaft 244 in the direction of
arrow 270 (or 272). As a result, the eccentric weight constituting the
vibration generation means 240 is also rotated in the direction of arrow
270 (or 272) as a unit with the sleeve shaft 244. Every time the eccentric
weight 248 rotates through one turn, vibration acts on the main body 202
to move it. Specifically, when the eccentric weight 248 moves in a
direction away from the wall surface 214 while rotating in the direction
of arrow 270 (or 272), its movement generates a lifting force in a
direction away from the wall surface 214 on the main body 202. It will be
understood from FIG. 5 that when the force in a direction away from the
wall surface 214 is exerted on the main body 202, the eccentric weight 248
moves mainly to the left (or to the right) in FIG. 5 about the sleeve
shaft 244 as a center. By the movement of the eccentric weight 248, a
moving force directed to the left (or the right) along the wall surface
214 acts simultaneously on the main body 202 of the device. Accordingly,
as in the first embodiment, the frictional force between the receiving
portion 210 of the seal member 212 and the wall surface 214 is weakened by
the force in the direction away from the wall surface 214, and the moving
force is exerted on the main body 202 by the force directed to the left
(or the right) along the wall surface 214. Thus, the device
suction-adhering to the wall surface 214 is moved to the left (or right)
in FIG. 5 as the eccentric weight 248 rotates in the normal direction (or
in the reverse direction).
When the sleeve shaft 244 rotates in the direction shown by arrow 270 (or
272), the tip of the brush 254 as surface-treating means act on the wall
surface 214, and the wall surface 214 can be cleaned by the brush 254. The
abrasive or cleaning action of the brush 254 may be increased by
attaching an abrasive material, etc. to the tip portion of the brush 254.
The devices of the first and second embodiments do not at all require a
wheel or an endless track as travelling means because they move along a
wall surface by utilizing vibration generated by vibration generating
means such as a cylinder mechanism or an eccentric weight. Hence, the
devices as a whole can be simplified in structure and reduced in size.
The devices in the first and second embodiments can be used not only in a
gas such as atmospheric air, but also in a liquid such as water or sea
water.
While the invention has been described with reference to the specific
embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the
invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various
changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of
the invention described and claimed herein.
For example, the embodiments described hereinabove are directed to the type
in which the main body of the device suction-adheres to a wall surface by
the ambient fluid pressure acting on the main body owing to the difference
in fluid pressure between the inside and outside of the pressure reduction
space. This is not limitative. If desired, the invention can equally be
applied to the type in which magnetic attracting means is provided in the
main body of the device, and the main body of the device is magnetically
attracted to the wall surface by the action of the magnetic attracting
means.
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