Automatic Shoe Cleaning Station with Rotating Platform and Four-Step Cycle

The problem

Workers moving between outdoor job sites and indoor facilities carry thick mud on their soles. Manual brushing is slow, leaves residue in tread grooves, and drips dirty water across entry floors. In plants, power stations and food-processing areas, tracked-in soil creates slip hazards and contaminates controlled environments. Standalone boot brushes lack a structured sequence, so users skip steps or leave boots wet, tracking moisture inside.

The solution

This device solves the problem by fixing the cleaning sequence into four stations arranged around a central rotating support column. The user sits on a seat at the top of the column, places a foot on an arc-shaped support plate, and operates a control terminal on the armrest.

1. Mud removal - a first motor drives parallel roller shafts fitted with scraping plates; spray nozzles underneath rinse the plates as they turn.
2. Sole washing - the column rotates the shoe to a dedicated washing station.
3. Upper cleaning - a third station addresses the shoe upper, linked mechanically to a sole water removal component.
4. Drying - a final station dries the sole before the user stands up.

A foot activity auxiliary component uses automatic telescopic rods, a sliding frame, a vertical plate, a sliding rod and a rack-and-gear train (first rack, second rack, first gear, second gear, connecting rods and turntables) to position the foot precisely over the mud removal mechanism. Scraped material drops into a sludge box housed inside the hollow mounting platform.

Who it is for

• Power plant and utility operators who need workers to transition from muddy outdoor yards to clean control rooms without tracking soil.
• Food processing and pharmaceutical facility managers requiring a repeatable, hands-free boot cleaning step before entering hygiene zones.
• Construction and mining site contractors looking for a rugged station at the entrance of temporary offices or break rooms.
• Commercial building janitorial suppliers adding automated entryway equipment to their catalog for warehouses and logistics centers.

How it works

The main parts

Operating steps

1. The user sits on the seat (3) and places a foot on the arc-shaped support plate (802).
2. Through the control terminal (11), the automatic telescopic rods (801) adjust height while the sliding frame (803) moves horizontally, guided by the vertical plate (805) and sliding rod (806) in the first sliding groove (807).
3. The sliding rod drives the first rack (808), which meshes with the first gear (811) and second gear (812) against the fixed second rack (809). The gears turn the connecting rods (813, 814, 815) and turntables (816), linking motion to the roller shafts (402).
4. The first motor (406) spins the roller shafts; scraping plates (403) remove mud while spray heads (407) rinse them. Debris falls into the sludge box (10).
5. The support column (2) rotates the seat to align the shoe with the sole washing mechanism (5), then the upper cleaning mechanism (6) and finally the sole drying mechanism (7).

Applications

Power generation and utility substations

Maintenance crews walk through gravel yards and switchyards where boots collect heavy clay. Before entering relay rooms or control buildings, workers sit at the station to remove and dry their soles. This keeps sensitive electrical floors free of conductive dirt and moisture.

Food and beverage processing plants

Sanitation rules require clean footwear before entering production areas. The automated sequence ensures every worker follows the same scrape-wash-dry routine. The built-in sludge box prevents runoff from pooling near the entry door.

Construction site field offices

Temporary offices on active earthwork sites see constant mud traffic. A stationed cleaner at the door reduces the need for manual mopping inside. Workers can clean boots quickly during shift changes without bending over low trays.

Pharmaceutical and cleanroom entries

Gowning rooms demand dry, particle-free shoe soles. The drying mechanism completes the cycle so workers do not track water onto tacky mats. The seated design fits into a controlled changing area without rushing.

Agricultural packing houses

Harvest crews bring in field soil that contaminates sorting lines. Placing the device at the packing house threshold stops dirt before it reaches conveyors. The spray heads keep the scraping plates clear of sticky organic matter.

Where it is less suitable

• Residential home entryways - the footprint, motors and plumbing requirements exceed typical household needs.
• Delicate dress shoes - the scraping plates and vigorous washing cycle are designed for work boots and sturdy footwear.
• Portable or vehicle-mounted use - the hollow mounting platform and fixed stations require a stable floor installation.