KR20060094374A - Automatic cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

 A cleaner body provided with a driving wheel; It is installed on the cleaner body, the vacuum cleaner for generating a water vapor when driving to spray the lower portion of the cleaner body; robot cleaner comprising a.

Robot cleaner, mop, steam, spray

Description

Robot cleaning apparatus

1 is a perspective view showing a robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the main portion of the robot cleaner shown in FIG.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the robot cleaner shown in FIG. 1.

Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the steam generator shown in FIG.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

10. Cleaner main body 12, 13. Drive wheel

17. Mop unit mounting part 20. Suction port

30. Mop unit 32. Mop unit

40.door 50.power supply

100. Steam supply 110. Water tank

120. Steam generation module 121. Housing

123. Steam generator 125. Steam injection unit

126 fans

The present invention relates to a robot cleaner.

In general, the robot cleaner is a device for automatically cleaning the area to be cleaned by driving the area to be cleaned even if the user does not operate by inhaling foreign substances such as dust from the floor surface.

Such a robot cleaner is equipped with a distance sensor or a photographing unit to check the presence or distance of obstacles such as obstacles such as appliances, office supplies, walls, etc. installed in the cleaning area to clean the claim area while avoiding collision or obstruction.

Such a robot cleaner is provided with a left driving wheel, a right driving wheel and a driven wheel at the lower part of the cleaner body. Each drive wheel is driven in connection with a drive motor. The driving of the driving motor is controlled by the controller, whereby the direction of the cleaner body can be changed.

In addition, a lower portion of the cleaner body may be provided with a suction port for suctioning dirt, such as dust from the cleaning surface. The suction force acting on the suction port is provided by a separate suction motor provided in the cleaner body. The suction port is connected to a separate dust collecting chamber provided in the cleaner body. Therefore, the dirt contained in the sucked air is collected and collected in the dust collecting chamber.

In addition, the robot cleaner may be provided with a mop for wiping the dirt and the like stuck to the cleaning surface. In this case, the mop is rotatably installed in the lower part of the robot cleaner. Therefore, the robot cleaner may suck and remove foreign substances while driving the cleaning surface, or wipe off the dirt attached to the cleaning surface by using a mop.

By the way, when cleaning the cleaning surface using a mop as described above, there is a case that the dirt attached to the cleaning surface may not be removed even by the mop. In this case, since a person needs to clean using a separate mop, there is an inconvenience of double cleaning.

The present invention was devised in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a robot cleaner having an improved structure to easily remove and clean dirt from a cleaning surface.

Robot cleaner of the present invention for achieving the above object, the cleaner body is provided with a driving wheel; And a steam injection device installed in the cleaner body and generating water vapor during driving to spray the lower portion of the cleaner body.

Here, the steam injection device, and the water tank detachably installed in the cleaner body; It is preferably installed in the cleaner body to be connected to the water tank, it is preferable to include a steam generating module for converting the water supplied from the water tank to steam to spray the lower portion of the cleaner body.

The cleaner body may include a first mounting part to which the steam generating module is detachably mounted, and a second mounting part to which the water tank is mounted, and the first and second mounting parts may be connected to each other.

The cleaner body may include a door provided at an upper portion of the cleaner body to open and close the second mounting part.

In addition, the steam generating module, the housing is connected to the water tank, the supplied water is stored; A steam generating element provided in the housing and generating steam when driven; And a steam injector connected to the housing and injecting steam generated from the housing into the lower portion of the cleaner body.

In addition, the injection unit, it is preferable to include a steam transfer path connected to the housing and one or more steam injection nozzles connected to the steam transfer path exposed to the lower side of the cleaner body.

In addition, it is preferable that a fan for forcibly injecting steam is installed on the steam transport path.

In addition, the steam generating device is installed to be immersed in the water stored in the housing, it is preferable to include a carbon rod for generating steam when the electric signal is applied.

In addition, the steam generating device, it is installed to be submerged in the water in the housing, it is preferable to include a heater for generating heat when the electric signal is applied.

In addition, the steam generating device, it is installed to be submerged in the water in the housing, it is preferable to include a vibrator for generating steam when driving.

In addition, it is preferable to further include a mop unit rotatably installed in the lower portion of the robot cleaner.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view showing a robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a partial separation perspective view showing a part of the robot cleaner shown in FIG.

1 and 2, the robot cleaner according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a cleaner body 10, left / right driving wheels 12 and 13 installed under the cleaner body 10, and a cleaner body ( The suction port 20 provided at the lower portion of the 10), the mop unit 30 is provided in the lower portion of the cleaner body 10, and the steam supply device 100 is provided in the cleaner body (10).

In the cleaner body 10, a dust collecting part (not shown) for collecting dust contained in the air sucked through the suction port 20 is provided. The dust collector is connected to a vacuum motor to provide suction power. As the dust collecting means, a generally used cyclone dust collecting unit, a dust bag, or the like may be employed.

In addition, a sensor 11 is installed outside the cleaner body 10. The sensor 11 is provided to be exposed to the outside of the cleaner body 10 to transmit a signal to the outside, and receive the reflected signal, the plurality of sensors at predetermined intervals along the side circumference of the cleaner body 10 Can be arranged. Such a sensor 11 may include a camera unit. The sensor 11 may include an obstacle detection sensor that detects an obstacle such as a furniture or a wall. In addition, the sensor 11 may include a travel distance detection sensor. You can use it. Such a cleaner main body 10 may have a streamlined appearance in consideration of a design, a collision, or a jam with an obstacle while driving. That is, as can be seen through the rear view shown in Figure 2, it has a substantially circular rear shape.

The left and right driving wheels 12 and 13 are selectively driven by a driving motor (not shown) separate from the vacuum motor. The driving of the drive motor is controlled by a controller provided inside the cleaner body 10. Each of the left and right driving wheels 12 and 13 may be provided such that idle heel 15 and 16 are driven to rotate.

The suction port 20 is disposed behind the left / right driving wheels 12, 13, ie, downstream of the robot cleaner 10 based on the traveling direction A of the robot cleaner 10. In addition, the suction port 20 is formed to have a predetermined length in parallel with the rotation axis directions of the left and right driving wheels 12 and 13. The suction port 20 does not extend to the side surface of the cleaner body 10 but is formed to have a predetermined length only at the bottom thereof. Rotating brush 21 may be rotatably installed in the suction port 20. The rotary brush 21 may be rotated by the power of the vacuum motor, or may be rotated by a suction force. When rotated by the suction force, the turbine is connected to the rotary brush (21).

In addition, the lower part of the cleaner body 10 is provided with a mop unit mounting portion 17 in which the mop unit 30 is detachably installed. The mop unit mounting portion 17 is provided to be adjacent to the suction port 20, and is provided to be drawn in a predetermined depth from the lower surface of the cleaner body (10). 2 and 3, the mop unit 30 is rotatably installed to the unit main body 31 and the lower part of the unit main body 31 so that the mop 32 is detachably attached. ), A bidirectional rotary motor 34 providing a driving force for rotating the rotary body 33 during the operation of the robot cleaner, and a power transmission unit 35 for transmitting the power of the rotary motor 34 to the rotary body 33. It is provided. The power transmission unit 35 includes a worm wheel gear 35a coupled to the rotating body 33 and a worm gear member 35b connecting the worm wheel gear 35a and the shaft 34a of the rotary motor 34. . Here, the unit body 31 may be fixed by a screw or the like in the state of being inserted into the mounting portion 17.

In addition, the cleaner body 10 is provided with first and second mounting portions 18 and 19. The first mounting part 18 is formed to be drawn into the lower surface of the cleaner body 10. The second mounting portion 19 is formed to be retracted from the upper surface of the cleaner body 10. The second mounting portion 19 is provided to be opened and closed by the door 40. The first mounting portion 18 is adjacent to the mop unit mounting portion 17, it may be connected to each other. The first mounting portion 18 and the second mounting portion 19 are provided to be connected to each other.

The steam spraying device 100 includes a water tank 110 detachably mounted to the cleaner body 10, and a steam generating module installed inside the cleaner body 10 to be connected to the water tank 110. 120).

The water tank 110 is provided with a water inlet 111 for injecting water, and a water outlet 113 for supplying water to the steam generating module 120. The water outlet 113 is provided with a general valve to selectively supply water.

The steam generating module 120 converts the water supplied from the water tank 110 into steam and sprays the lower portion of the cleaner body 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the steam generating module 120 is connected to the water tank 110 and is provided with a housing 121 in which the supplied water is stored, and provided in the housing 121 to generate steam when driven. The steam generator 123 and the steam injection unit 125 is provided.

The housing 121 has a space for storing a predetermined amount of water and is detachably installed in the first mounting portion 18. An upper portion of the housing 121 is provided with an inlet 122 for receiving water connected to the water tank 110.

The steam generator 123 may include a pair of carbon rods installed to be immersed in the water contained in the housing 121. The carbon rod is formed of a material such as charcoal or graphite, and emits electricity stored in the capacitor by the so-called carbon rod theory. That is, when positive (+) and negative (-) are respectively supplied from the power supply unit 50 to each carbon rod, the carbon rod is discharged to boil from the nearest water. Therefore, steam is generated from the water close to the carbon rod, and the time taken for generating steam takes about 3 to 5 seconds.

Connection terminals 52 and 54 for electrically connecting the carbon rods to the power supply unit 50 are provided at positions corresponding to each of the housing 121 and the first mounting unit 18.

On the other hand, the steam generating element 123 may be a heater that generates heat when power is applied to evaporate water. The steam generator 123 may be a high frequency vibrator that generates high frequency when power is applied to decompose water into steam. As such, the steam generator 123 may be various embodiments that are generally widely used in the industry.

The steam injection unit 125 includes a steam duct 125a connected to one side of the housing 121. The steam duct 125a is connected to a steam outlet 121a provided above the housing 121. And the steam duct 125a has the steam injection nozzle 125b exposed to the lower part of the cleaner body 10, ie, the cleaning surface. Preferably, the steam injection nozzle (125b) is preferably formed in a portion adjacent to the mop (32). Therefore, the steam injected from the steam injection nozzle 125b may moisten the cleaning surface to be cleaned by the mop 32 to further improve the cleaning efficiency. And a plurality of steam injection nozzle (125b) is formed at regular intervals.

Also, preferably, the steam injection unit 125 may further include a fan 126 installed in the steam duct 125a. The fan 126 forcibly discharges the steam generated from the housing 121 to the injection nozzle 125b during rotational driving.

As described above, according to the robot cleaner of the present invention having the above configuration, by providing a steam generator, it is possible to spray steam to the cleaning surface so that dirt or dust stuck to the cleaning surface can be easily separated. Therefore, since the dirt inflated by the steam can be cleaned more effectively by using a mop, there is an advantage that the cleaning time can be shortened and the cleaning efficiency can be improved.

Claims (11)

A cleaner body provided with a driving wheel; And a steam injection device installed in the cleaner body and generating water vapor during driving to spray the lower portion of the cleaner body. The method of claim 1, wherein the steam injection value, A water tank detachably installed on the cleaner body; And a steam generating module installed inside the cleaner body so as to be connected to the water tank, and configured to convert water supplied from the water tank into steam and spray the water into the lower portion of the cleaner body. According to claim 2, The cleaner body, A first mounting part to which the steam generating module is detachably mounted and a second mounting part to which the water tank is mounted are provided, And the first and second mounting parts are connected to each other. The method of claim 3, wherein the cleaner body, And a door provided above the cleaner body to open and close the second mounting part. The steam generating module of claim 2, wherein the steam generating module comprises: A housing connected to the water tank and storing supplied water; A steam generating element provided in the housing and generating steam when driven; And And a steam injector connected to the housing and injecting steam generated in the housing to the lower portion of the cleaner body. The method of claim 5, wherein the injection unit, And a steam transport path connected to the housing and one or more steam injection nozzles connected to the steam transport path and exposed to the lower side of the cleaner body. The robot cleaner as claimed in claim 6, wherein a fan for forcibly injecting steam is installed on the steam transport path. The method of claim 5, wherein the steam generating device, The robot cleaner is installed to be immersed in the water stored in the housing, and comprises a carbon rod for generating steam when the electric signal is applied. The method of claim 5, wherein the steam generating device, And a heater installed to be submerged in water in the housing, the heater generating heat when an electric signal is applied. The method of claim 5, wherein the steam generating device, It is installed to be submerged in the water in the housing, the robot cleaner characterized in that it comprises a vibrator for generating steam during operation. The robot cleaner as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a mop unit rotatably installed under the robot cleaner.

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