KR101010422B1 - A cleaning apparatus of a automatic vacuum cleaner and cleaning method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for an automatic vacuum cleaner, which allows the automatic vacuum cleaner to drive the cleaning area to automatically discharge the collected dust at a designated dust discharge location.

The present invention is provided with an automatic vacuum cleaner, the automatic vacuum cleaner, charging space for selectively opening and closing the entrance of the automatic vacuum cleaner, the charging means provided on one side inside the charging space, for supplying power to the automatic vacuum cleaner And it is provided on one side inside the filling space, and comprises a dust bin emptying means for discharging the foreign matter collected in the dust bucket of the automatic cleaner.

According to the present invention as described above, there is an advantage that the user does not directly throw away the dust container of the automatic cleaner, thereby improving the convenience of use.

Vacuum cleaner, charging means, dust box, driving wheel, battery

Description

A cleaning apparatus of a automatic vacuum cleaner and cleaning method

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method of an automatic vacuum cleaner, which enables the automatic vacuum cleaner to travel through the cleaning area to automatically discharge the collected dust from a designated dust discharge location.

In general, the automatic cleaner cleans a predetermined area while moving by itself without a user's continuous operation. The type of vacuum cleaner detects the type of the area to be cleaned and detects obstacles inside the cleaning area to drive the cleaning area.

In addition, dust and foreign matter scattered on the floor surface are collected together with the air through the cleaning zone driving as described above and accommodated in the dust collecting container. The dust received in the dust collecting container is collected by the user after the operation of the vacuum cleaner is stopped. It is separated from and then emptied.

In addition, when the cleaning operation is completed through the automatic cleaner, the consumed power is supplied through the charging device in order to charge the battery power consumed while driving. The charging device and the vacuum cleaner body may be automatically returned through wireless communication. It is configured to be.

However, the vacuum cleaner according to the prior art has the following problems.

First, the charging device for charging the battery power of the automatic cleaner transmits and receives a signal through wireless communication with the main body of the automatic cleaner as described above.

Therefore, the charging device is exposed to the outside to enable the transmission and reception of the return signal with the main body of the vacuum cleaner in a state of being connected to the power plug.

That is, the space in which the charging device is located is located in a living room or a room where the user operates.

Therefore, there is a possibility that the user may collide with the charging device due to carelessness in daily life, which may cause damage to the charging device and injury to the user.

In addition, the automatic vacuum cleaner exposed to the outside as described above may be a factor of preventing the unity of the interior interior, thereby causing a user's emotional dissatisfaction.

In addition, in the automatic vacuum cleaner according to the prior art, the user can directly separate the dust collecting dust and foreign matter collected from the main body, which causes the user to feel uncomfortable, deterioration of cleaning performance when not emptying the dust container for a long time Is of course a failure factor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention, which was devised to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, is to provide a cleaning device and a cleaning method for an automatic cleaner provided with a charging space of the automatic cleaner so that the charging device of the automatic cleaner is not exposed to the outside. .

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning apparatus and a cleaning method for an automatic cleaner that enables the vacuum cleaner entering the filling space to discharge dust and foreign substances collected in the dust container together with the filling.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device and a cleaning method of an automatic cleaner equipped with a sensor to detect a return signal of the automatic cleaner on one side of the charging space.

The present invention provides an automatic vacuum cleaner, a charging space in which the automatic vacuum cleaner is accommodated, and an entrance of the automatic vacuum cleaner is selectively opened and closed, and charging means for supplying power to the automatic vacuum cleaner provided at one side of the charging space. It is provided on one side inside the filling space is characterized in that it comprises a dust bin emptying means for discharging the foreign matter collected in the dust bucket of the automatic cleaner.

In another aspect, the present invention is the power supply of the automatic cleaner and the cleaning mode and the cleaning area is set, the cleaning is performed while driving in accordance with the setting information, and the battery during the cleaning or lack of space in the dust detection is detected And the step of checking the battery shortage or the lack of space of the dust container, and moving the automatic cleaner to the charging space, and emptying the dust container through the battery charging and dust bin emptying means through the charging means inside the charging space. Characterized in that it comprises a step.

According to the present invention having the characteristics as described above, since the user does not directly empty the dust container of the automatic cleaner, there is an advantage that the ease of use is improved.

In addition, since the dust container is automatically emptied as described above, there is an advantage that the performance degradation and failure of the automatic cleaner due to the filling of the dust container is reduced.

In addition, since the charging device for charging the automatic cleaner is provided in a separate charging space, there is an advantage that the charging device is not exposed to the room, thereby preventing the charging device from being damaged and injury to the user. .

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described an embodiment of the present invention.

However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same idea.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the automatic cleaner which is a main component of the cleaning device of the automatic cleaner according to the present invention.

In the automatic cleaner 1, which is a main component of the present invention, most of the appearance is formed by the case 100 divided into upper and lower parts.

In addition, the driving wheel 120 provided in the lower portion of the case 100 and the driving motor (not shown) provided in the case 100 and configured to be capable of traveling by themselves through a control unit 612 for controlling the same.

In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the case 100 is provided with a suction motor, and is configured to suck dust and foreign substances scattered on the floor while driving with air. 100 is collected into a dust container 200 provided on one side, the dust container 200 is further provided with a dust sensor (not shown) to determine the degree of acceptance of the filled dust.

The dust container 200 is configured to be selectively detachable to the automatic charger 1, and is formed so that the body slightly protrudes upward from the upper surface of the case 100 in a mounted state.

In addition, the front surface of the dust container 200 protruding as described above is further provided with a shielding plate 220 in a size corresponding to the suction pipe 620 of the dust container emptying means 600 to be described in detail below, such shielding The plate 220 selectively shields the suction hole (not shown) which is formed to be in communication with the inside of the dust container 200. Description of the shield plate 220 will be described in detail with the dust bin emptying means 600 below.

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, the automatic cleaner 1 performing the cleaning operation while moving as described above is provided with a charging battery therein to enable power supply for movement, and the charging means 400 to be described in detail below. ) To charge the depleted battery power.

In addition, a plurality of ultrasonic sensors 360 and cliff detection sensors are provided at various places in the case 100 of the automatic cleaner 1 to avoid obstacles or steep slopes and to travel, and an infrared sensor 340. When the battery charge capacity is detected through the transmission and reception of the return signal with the charging means 400.

On the other hand, the upper surface of the case 100 is provided with a button for supplying power to the automatic vacuum cleaner 1 and an operation button 500 to select a function such as cleaning mode, cleaning time, reservation setting, etc. according to the user's input. A display 540 is further provided to one side of the operation button 500 to display the setting state of the automatic cleaner 1 and the driving information.

In addition, the remote control receiving unit 520 for receiving a remote control signal used by the user is further provided to be configured to enable remote control through the remote control in addition to the operation button 500.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the filling means and dust container emptying means that constitutes the main part of the cleaning device of the automatic vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, Figure 3 is the automatic cleaner of Figure 1 and the charging means of FIG. A side view is shown showing the connection with the dust bin emptying means.

As shown in these drawings, the charging means 400, which is a main component of the present invention, has a charging terminal 440 protrudingly formed at a central portion of the main body, and the charging terminal 440 is a case of the automatic charger 1. 100) it comes into contact with the filling protrusion 180 protruding forward from the bottom.

In addition, since the charging terminal 440 in contact with the charging protrusion 180 is configured to include an elastic member, when the charging terminal 440 is pressed by the charging protrusion 180, the charging terminal 440 is moved into the main body of the charging means 400. Connect the power supply circuit so that power can be supplied while being drawn in a certain part.

In addition, a return induction sensor window 420 is provided above the charging terminal 440 to send a return induction signal so that the automatic cleaner 1 can return to the charging means 400. In addition, the automatic cleaner 1 is connected to the dust container 200 while the automatic cleaner 1 is docked to the charging unit 400 to discharge the dust collected inside the dust container 200 toward the upper side of the return induction sensor window 420. Dust bin emptying means 600 is further provided.

On the other hand, the filling means 400 is provided on the upper side of the dust container emptying means 600 of the function as described above is a separate filling space such as the inside of the built-in furniture or the sink bottom is equipped with household sewage pipe (700 in FIG. ) Is provided.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail.

4 is an apparatus configuration diagram schematically showing an example of an apparatus for cleaning an automatic cleaner according to the present invention, wherein the charging means 400 is provided inside the wall W of the built-in furniture, The state in which the vacuum cleaner 1 is docked is shown.

In detail, the inside of the wall (W) of the built-in furniture is provided with a domestic sewage pipe (S) and the filling means 400 so that the automatic cleaner 1 can empty the dust container 200 with the filling. Form 700.

The lower end of the wall W is provided with a separate opening / closing door 900 (which may be referred to as an entrance door) sliding upward to open the charging space 700 selectively.

In addition, one side of the opening and closing door 900 is provided with a return signal receiving sensor 920 for receiving a return signal sent from the automatic cleaner (1).

On the rear side of the wall (W) when the return signal receiving sensor 920 detects the return signal and when the approach detection sensor 940 to be described in detail below the approach of the automatic cleaner (1) the opening and closing door The door opening and closing means 800 for lifting the 900 upwards is further provided.

The door opening and closing means 800 is a bracket 880 fixedly mounted to the rear side of the wall (W) and the opening and closing motor 820 is received in the bracket 880 to generate a rotational force, the opening and closing motor 820 It is configured to include a pinion 840 to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the rack gear 860 to move up and down in engagement with the pinion 840.

In addition, the rack gear 860 is provided to move upward and downward through one side of the bracket 880, and a lower end thereof is connected to the opening / closing door 900 so that the rack gear 860 is opened and closed due to the shanghai movement of the rack gear 860. The door 900 is configured to be opened and closed.

On the other hand, the charging means 400 provided in the charging space 700 receives the return signal sent from the automatic cleaner 1 in the state in which the open / close door 900 is opened, and the automatic cleaner 1 To be guided into the filling space 700.

To this end, the charging means 400 transmits a return induction signal through a return induction sensor (not shown) provided in the return induction sensor window 420.

In addition, the automatic vacuum cleaner 1 receiving the return induction signal enters the charging space 700 in accordance with the return induction signal and docks the charging means 400 in this case. The suction pipe 620 of the vacuum cleaner 1 is pressed into the shield plate 220 provided in the dust container 200 is inserted into the dust container 200.
That is, although not shown, a discharge hole is formed in the dust container 200, and the shielding plate 220 shields the discharge hole. Therefore, the suction pipe 620 presses the shield plate and is inserted into the dust container 200 through the discharge hole.

To this end, the shielding plate 220 is configured to be rotatable about an upper end, and is further provided with an elastic member to return to an initial position when the pressure through the suction pipe 620 is released to shield the inside of the dust container 200. It is configured to.

That is, although not shown in the drawings, the rotating shaft for allowing the shield plate 220 to be rotatable is configured in the form of a spring hinge and is opened according to the degree of pressurization, and then configured to return to the initial position when the pressurization is released.

On the other hand, the dust container emptying means 600 is a suction pipe 620 connected to the dust container 200 of the automatic cleaner 1, and through the suction pipe 620 to suck the foreign matter and dust inside the dust container 200. Centrifugal fan 650 and the discharge motor 660 to generate a suction force so that the suction path 610 and the discharge path of the dust and foreign matter transported along the suction flow path 610 is a transmission path of the generated suction force And comprises a duct 640.

In detail, the housing 670 that forms most of the exterior of the dust container emptying means 600 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and the suction pipe 620 protrudes forward from the lower side of the front side of the housing 670.

In addition, the discharge duct 640 is protruded to have a predetermined inclination downward from the lower rear side of the housing 670, and passes through one side surface of the domestic sewage pipe S provided in the filling space 700. An end portion of the discharge duct 640 is disposed on the discharge path of the sewage.

The suction passage 610 is formed such that a portion close to the suction pipe 620 has a relatively wide space, and a portion close to the centrifugal fan 650 has a narrow space. In addition, the front side of the suction passage 610 is formed in the rising direction in the housing 670, the rear side is formed in the direction in communication with the discharge duct 640 and descending.

The centrifugal fan 650 is located at a portion of the suction passage 610 where the rising and falling crosses, and the centrifugal fan 6650 is blocked by a net to prevent the inflow of dust. In communication with the suction passage 610 through the ().

And, the centrifugal fan 650 and the discharge motor 660 is separated by a separate plate (not shown) so as to shield each other, only the rotating shaft of the discharge motor 660 and the centrifugal fan 650 and Connected and configured to be rotatable.

In addition, the centrifugal fan 650 is located at a position very close to the inlet 614, and one side of the housing 670 in which the centrifugal fan 650 is accommodated is formed with a perforated exhaust hole 618 communicating with the outside. The flow of air formed by the centrifugal fan 650 is rapidly formed by the surface pressure and is discharged through the exhaust hole 678 to generate a suction force.

Therefore, the suction force generated by the pressure difference is provided along the suction flow path 610 so that the dust and foreign matter collected inside the dust container 200 are discharged to the household sewage pipe S through the discharge duct 640. do.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described the control method of the cleaning apparatus of the automatic cleaner according to the present invention and the operation of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a control process of the cleaning device of the automatic cleaner according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the automatic vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present invention has a setting such as a cleaning mode, a cleaning time, a driving mode, an automatic charging function, and the like by a user in a state in which power is supplied from a rechargeable battery through a power switch operation. The cleaning operation is performed while driving the setting area according to the set state.

When the charging battery is insufficient or the dust container 200 is insufficient in space while the cleaning operation is performed as described above, the automatic cleaner 1 sends a return signal using the infrared sensor 340, and the return signal. Opens the opening and closing door 900 to shield the charging space 700.

In more detail, when the return signal is detected through the return signal sensor 920 provided on the front surface of the opening / closing door 900, the return signal detection sensor 920 may open the door opening / closing means ( By operating 800, the opening and closing door 900 is lifted.

That is, the return signal detecting sensor 920 transmits a signal to rotate the open / close motor 820, and the open / close motor 820 receiving the signal rotates the connected pinion 840.

When the pinion 840 is rotated, the rack gear 860 meshed with the pinion 840 moves upward, and the opening / closing door 900 connected thereto moves upward.

On the other hand, when the opening and closing door 900 is opened as described above to receive the return signal from the charging means 400 provided in the charging space 700, and to send the return induction signal from the return induction sensor window 420 do.

The vacuum cleaner 1 receiving the return induction signal sent as described above enters the charging space 700 according to the return induction signal and docks the charging means 400.

While the automatic cleaner 1 is docked to the charging means 400, the dust bin emptying means 600 provided on the upper side of the charging means 400 is connected to the dust container 200.

When the dust container 200 and the dust container emptying means 600 are connected as described above, the discharge motor 660 of the dust container emptying means rotates to generate a suction force, and the suction force generated as described above is the suction force. The dust container 200 is transferred into the dust container 200 through a flow path 610.

Therefore, the dust and foreign matter collected in the dust container 200 is moved along the suction flow path 610, the dust and foreign matter moving along the suction flow path 610 through the discharge duct 640 for home use It is discharged to the outside along the sewage pipe (S).

On the other hand, the access sensor 940 provided on the rear of the opening and closing door 900 in the process of docking the automatic cleaning device (1) to the charging means 400, the opening and closing door 900 when the automatic cleaner 1 approaches ) Transmits a signal to open, and after opening, the opening and closing door 900 is automatically shielded after a predetermined time.

Accordingly, when the filling and emptying of the dust container 200 is completed and the automatic cleaner 1 is separated from the charging means 400 and approaches the opening / closing door 900, the access sensor 940 does this. Sensing and operating the door opening and closing means 800 to raise the opening and closing door 900.

Then, when the automatic cleaner 1 goes out of the charging space 700 through the above process, as described above in the door opening and closing means 800, the opening and closing door 900 is automatically lowered and charged. Allow the space 700 to be shielded.

On the other hand, when the cleaning or emptying of the dust container 200 is performed inside the filling space 700 as described above, when the driving and cleaning of the set cleaning area is not completed, the cleaning operation is performed while driving the remaining setting area. To perform.

When the driving and cleaning of the set cleaning area is completed, the power is cut off while returning to the inside of the filling space 700 to perform the filling and emptying of the dust container 200 to stop the operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an automatic cleaner which is a main component constituting a cleaning device for an automatic cleaner according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the filling means and dust container emptying means that is a main component constituting the cleaning device of the automatic cleaner according to the present invention.

3 is a side view showing a state in which the automatic cleaner of FIG. 1 is connected to the filling means and the dust container emptying means of FIG.

Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a cleaning device for an automatic vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a control process of the cleaning device of the automatic cleaner according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100 ..... Case 120 ..... Driving wheel

180 ..... Filling protrusion 200 ..... Dust bin

220 ..... shield 340 ..... infrared sensor

360 ..... Ultrasonic Sensor 400 ..... Charging Method

420 ..... Return induction sensor window 440 ..... Charging terminal

500 ..... Operation Buttons 520 ..... Remote Control Receiver

540 ..... Display 600 ..... Dust bin emptying means

610 ..... Suction flow path 612 ..... Control

614 ..... inlet 618 ..... exhaust hole

620 ..... suction line 640 ..... exhaust duct

650 ..... centrifugal fan 660 ..... exhaust motor

670 ..... Housing 700 ..... Filling space

800 ..... Door opening and closing means 820 ..... Opening and closing motor

840 ..... Pinion 860 ..... Rack Gear

880 ..... Bracket 900 .....

920 ..... Return induction sensor 940 ..... Access sensor

W ....... Wall S ....... Household Sewage Pipe

Claims (13)

Vacuum cleaner; A charging space in which the automatic cleaner is accommodated and the entrance and exit of the automatic cleaner is selectively opened and closed; A charging means provided at one side of the charging space and supplying power to the automatic cleaner; And a dust container emptying means which is provided at one side of the filling space and discharges foreign matters collected in the dust container of the automatic vacuum cleaner. According to claim 1, The doorway, Cleaning device of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that the return signal detecting sensor for receiving the return signal of the automatic cleaner is provided. The method of claim 2, wherein the doorway, Cleaning device of the automatic cleaner further comprises a door operating means for detecting the return signal of the automatic cleaner received by the sensor to open the charging space. The method of claim 3, wherein the filling space, Cleaning apparatus of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that the proximity sensor further detects the access of the automatic cleaner to open and close the door. The method of claim 4, wherein Further comprising a door for opening and closing the door, The door operating means, The cleaning device of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that the door is opened when the access of the automatic cleaner through the proximity sensor is detected, and shielded when the access is not detected. According to claim 1, wherein the dust bin emptying means, A suction pipe selectively entering into the dust container; A centrifugal fan which generates suction by rotating the discharge motor at one side of the suction pipe; An exhaust duct for guiding the dust and foreign substances contained in the dust container inside the dust container by suction using the suction force generated by the centrifugal fan to be discharged to the outside; And a control unit for controlling the discharge motor. According to claim 6, Between the suction pipe and the centrifugal fan, Cleaning device of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that the suction passage is further provided. The method of claim 7, wherein the suction flow path, And a portion adjacent to the suction pipe is wide and a portion adjacent to the suction fan is narrowly formed. The method of claim 6, wherein the discharge duct, Cleaning device for an automatic vacuum cleaner, characterized in that connected to one side of the domestic sewage pipe. According to claim 6, One side of the dust container, Cleaning device of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that the discharge hole of the corresponding size is formed so that the suction pipe can be introduced. The method of claim 10, wherein one side of the discharge hole, And a shielding plate for selectively opening and closing the discharge hole according to whether the suction pipe is entered. The method of claim 11, And a resilient rotating shaft which secures the shield plate to the dust container in a rotatable manner, and provides elasticity to restore elasticity when the pressure applied to the shield plate is released. Supplying power to the automatic cleaner and setting a cleaning mode and a cleaning area; Cleaning is performed while driving according to the setting information; Detecting lack of battery or lack of space in the dust container during cleaning; Detecting a lack of battery or lack of space in the dust container and moving the vacuum cleaner to the charging space; Receiving a return signal sent from the automatic cleaner and opening a door of the charging space; And a step of emptying the dust container through the battery charging and dust container emptying means through the charging means in the charging space.

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