CN111588305A - Autonomous electric vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an autonomous vacuum cleaner capable of performing dust collection while reciprocating a dust collection place and sterilizing the dust collection place. An autonomous electric vacuum cleaner (1) is provided with: a main body (5); a moving unit (11) for moving the main body (5); a storage tank (16) which is provided in the main body (5) and stores water; an electrolyzed water generation unit (17) that generates electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the water stored in the tank (16); and a supply unit (18) for supplying the generated electrolyzed water to the outside of the main body (5).

Description

Autonomous electric vacuum cleaner

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner.

Background

There is known a cleaning robot that applies a cleaning liquid from a spray nozzle to a cleaning surface and performs wiping or polishing cleaning on the cleaning surface using a pad held in contact with the cleaning surface.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-86423

However, in wiping or polishing cleaning using a cleaning liquid, there is still room for study on the sterilization effect at a cleaning site.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an autonomous vacuum cleaner capable of cleaning dust while moving a dust cleaning place back and forth and sterilizing the dust cleaning place.

In order to solve the above problem, an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a main body; a moving part for moving the main body; a storage tank disposed in the main body and storing water; an electrolyzed water producing unit for electrolyzing the water stored in the tank to produce electrolyzed water; and a supply unit configured to supply the generated electrolyzed water to the outside of the main body.

The main body of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention preferably includes a main body housing having a height substantially equal to a height of the sump.

In the autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, it is preferable that the main body has a main body case, and the main body case and the storage tank cooperate with each other to define an outline of the autonomous vacuum cleaner in a plan view.

In the autonomous vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the tank preferably includes a first tank portion for storing the water before electrolysis, and a second tank portion for storing the electrode of the electrolyzed water generation portion.

In the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, the first container portion is preferably detachable from the main body.

In the autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, it is preferable that the sump moves the water stored in the first tank to the second tank by a head difference between the first tank and the second tank.

In the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the volume of the second container portion is smaller than the volume of the first container portion.

In the autonomous vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the first container portion and the second container portion are adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction, and the electrode extends in a vertical direction.

In the autonomous vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the first container portion and the second container portion are stacked in a vertical direction, and the electrode extends in a horizontal direction.

The supply unit of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention preferably includes a wiping/dust collecting member mounting unit to which a wiping/dust collecting member can be attached and detached, and a first supply mechanism unit that supplies the electrolyzed water from the tank to the wiping/dust collecting member.

The cleaner body of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention preferably includes a suction port, and the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner preferably includes an electric blower for generating a negative pressure in a suction air passage connected to the suction port, and a dust collector for collecting dust sucked by the negative pressure acting on the suction port.

In the autonomous vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the suction port and the supply unit are arranged in front of each other, and the suction port is disposed on the front side of the supply unit.

The supply unit of the autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the present invention preferably includes a second supply mechanism unit configured to supply the electrolyzed water from the tank to the surface to be cleaned.

The supply unit of the autonomous vacuum cleaner of the present invention preferably includes a third supply mechanism unit for supplying the electrolyzed water from the storage tank to the air around the main body.

In the autonomous vacuum cleaner of the present invention, it is preferable that the third supply mechanism includes an atomizing device for atomizing the electrolyzed water and supplying the atomized electrolyzed water to the air around the main body.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner capable of cleaning dust while moving back and forth in a dust cleaning place and sterilizing the dust cleaning place.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a right side view of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a sump of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a sump of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a sump of a second example of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a sump of a second example of an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the amount of water in the reservoir and the voltage applied to the electrodes in the autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the symbols

1 … autonomous electric vacuum cleaner, 5 … main body, 6 … secondary battery, 8 … station, 9 … power cord, 11 … moving part, 12 … vacuum cleaner, 13 … detector, 15 … controller, 16A, 16B … storage tank, 17 … electrolyzed water generator, 18 … supplier, 21 … main body case, 22 … buffer, 26 … driving wheel, 27 … motor, 28 … driven wheel, 31 … suction vacuum cleaner, 32 … wiping vacuum cleaner, 34 … suction inlet, 35 … rotary brush, 36 … brush motor, 37 … dust container, 38 … electric blower, 39 … suction air duct, 39u … upstream air duct, 39d … downstream side, 41 … exhaust air duct, 42 … electrolyzed water generator, 43 … wiping vacuum cleaner, 45 … wiping vacuum cleaner, 3651 camera part, … a … camera part, … B camera part, … approaching optical system 3652, 53 … contact detection unit, 55 … distance measurement device, 55a … light emitting unit, 55B … light receiving unit, 61 … electrode, 63 … first supply mechanism unit, 65 … second supply mechanism unit, 66 … third supply mechanism unit, 71 … first supply port, 72 … first on-off valve, 73 … second supply port, 74 … second on-off valve, 76 … atomization device, 76 … atomization device, 77 … water path, 79 … moisture absorption unit, 81 … container, 82A, 82B … first container unit, 83A, 83B … second container part, 85 … water supply port, 86 … cover, 87 … supply port, 88 … water level meter, 89 … joint, 91 … communication part, 91a … transmitting part, 91B … receiving part, 101 … autonomous movement control part, 102 … detection control part, 103 … map information storage part, 105 … movement control part, 106 … suction and dust collection control part, and 107 … detection result storage part.

Detailed Description

An autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 9. Note that the same or corresponding components in the plurality of drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 1, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment, a so-called robot cleaner, autonomously moves by consuming electric power of the secondary battery 6 mounted on the main body 5. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves back and forth on a floor surface (hereinafter referred to as a "surface f to be cleaned") of a cleaning place (hereinafter referred to as a "surface a to be cleaned"), and moves over the surface of the cleaning area a to clean the floor. After the dust suction operation, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 autonomously returns to the station 8 to stand by for the next dust suction operation.

The station 8 can be provided on the surface f of the area a to be cleaned. The station 8 can guide the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 to a predetermined position and electrically connect the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner to the predetermined position. The station 8 has a function of a so-called charging stand. The station 8 has a power supply line 9 for guiding electric power from a commercial ac power supply to the secondary battery 6 in a state of being connected to the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1. The power supply line 9 is a circuit for transmitting power to the secondary battery 6.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 returning to the station 8 charges the secondary battery 6, for example, while waiting for the next cleaning operation. In this case, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can cope with an abrupt vacuum cleaning operation in response to a user's request while saving the trouble of charging by the user.

Fig. 2 is a right side view of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of the embodiment of the present invention.

Note that a solid arrow F in fig. 2 and 3 indicates a forward direction of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes: a main body 5; a moving unit 11 for moving the main body 5; a dust suction unit 12 for sucking dust on a surface f to be cleaned below the main body 5; a detection unit 13 for detecting an object to be detected around the main body 5; a control unit 15 for controlling the operation of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1; and a secondary battery 6 for supplying electric power to each unit of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 further includes: a storage tank 16 provided in the main body 5 and storing water; an electrolyzed water generation unit 17 for generating electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the water stored in the tank 16; and a supply unit 18 for supplying the generated electrolyzed water to the outside of the main body 5.

The main body 5 includes a main body case 21 made of, for example, synthetic resin, and a damper 22 provided on a side surface of the main body case 21. The main body case 21 is an outer shell of the main body 5. The damper 22 is provided on a side surface of the main body case 21.

The body 5 has a flat cylindrical shape, in other words a disc shape. The substantially circular body 5 can be suppressed in the turning radius in turning to be smaller than other shapes in plan view. The main body 5 may have a square shape in plan view, or may be a constant-width pattern having a constant diameter, for example, a Reuleaux Triangle (Reuleaux Triangle).

The main body case 21 and the sump 16 cooperate to define an outline of the main body 5 in a plan view. In the present embodiment, the main body case 21 and the sump 16 have an outer contour line in the shape of an arc cut by a chord in a plan view. The circular arc-shaped outline of the main body case 21 and the circular arc-shaped outline of the sump 16 are outlines that draw a circle of the main body 5 by the combination of the strings. Even if the main body 5 has a shape other than a circular shape, the outline of the main body 5 is drawn by combining the outline of the main body case 21 and the outline of the sump 16. The sump 16 is preferably housed inside a trajectory drawn by an outline of the main body case 21 when the main body 5 is turned in place (counter-rotation turn).

The height of the main body housing 21 is substantially the same as the height of the sump 16. The "height" described here is a distance between a position farthest from the surface f to be cleaned and the surface f to be cleaned in a state where the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 is disposed on the surface f to be cleaned. That is, the height of the main body casing 21 is the maximum height of the main body casing 21 with respect to the surface f to be cleaned. The height of the sump 16 is the maximum height of the sump 16 with respect to the surface f to be cleaned. Further, the height of the main body housing 21 and the height of the sump 16 may be different. For example, sump 16 may be higher than main body case 21, and sump 16 may protrude upward. Further, the sump 16 may be recessed with a height lower than that of the main body case 21. Further, the height of sump 16 may be lower than the height of main body case 21, and sump 16 may be mounted on the upper surface of main body case 21. In this case, the upper surface of main body case 21 may have a step-like difference between the portion where sump 16 is mounted and another portion. In a state where tank 16 is mounted on main body case 21, it is preferable that the height of the upper surface of tank 16 substantially matches the height of the upper surface of main body case 21.

The moving unit 11 includes: a plurality of drive wheels 26; a plurality of motors 27 for driving the drive wheels 26 independently; and a driven wheel 28 that supports the main body 5 on the surface f to be cleaned together with the driving wheel 26.

The respective driving wheels 26 transmit the force for moving the main body 5 to the surface f to be cleaned. Each of the drive wheels 26 rotates about an axis extending in the width direction (lateral width direction) of the main body 5. The plurality of drive wheels 26 includes at least one pair of drive wheels 26. The axles of the pair of drive wheels 26 are arranged on substantially the same line. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can perform linear movement and rotation by the pair of drive wheels 26. The drive wheel 26 is pressed against the surface f to be cleaned by a suspension device, a so-called suspension (hereinafter referred to as "suspension"). The autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 may have an endless track instead of the drive wheel 26.

Each motor 27 drives each drive wheel 26 independently. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 is configured to move straight by rotating the left and right drive wheels 26 in the same direction, and to rotate by rotating the left and right drive wheels 26 in different directions. The autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can adjust the forward or backward speed by increasing or decreasing the output of the left and right driving wheels 26, and adjust the turning radius by varying the output of the left and right driving wheels 26. The straight advance of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes the forward advance of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 and the backward advance of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1. The swing of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a right swing of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 and a left swing of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1.

The driven pulley 28 is disposed at a substantially central portion in the width direction of the lower portion of the main body 5 and is a front portion. The driven wheel 28 is a circular rotating body, such as a caster. The driven wheels 28 change their direction as the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward, backward, and rotates, and stabilize the movement of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1. The center of gravity of the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 supported by the driving wheels 26 and the driven wheels 28 is preferably disposed inside a triangle formed by the pair of driving wheels 26 and the driven wheels 28. This enables the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 to move stably.

The dust suction unit 12 sucks dust on the surface f to be sucked directly below and around the main body 5. The dust suction part 12 includes: a suction dust suction unit 31 for generating negative pressure to suck dust on the dust suction surface f; and a wiping and dust collecting unit 32 for wiping and collecting dust or polishing dust on the surface f to be cleaned below the main body 5.

The suction/dust collection unit 31 includes: a suction port 34 provided on the bottom surface of the main body 5; a rotary brush 35 disposed at the suction port 34; a brush motor 36 for rotationally driving the rotary brush 35; a dust container 37 provided in the main body 5; and an electric blower 38 accommodated in the main body 5 and fluidly connected to the dust container 37.

The air passage extending from suction port 34 to the suction side of electric blower 38 through dust container 37 is a suction air passage 39 fluidly connected to the suction side of electric blower 38. The intake air passage 39 includes: an upstream air passage 39u extending from the suction port 34 to the dust container 37; and a downstream air passage 39d extending from the dust container 37 to the electric blower 38.

An air passage extending from the discharge side of electric blower 38 to the discharge port of main body 5 is an exhaust air passage 41 fluidly connected to the discharge side of electric blower 38. The exhaust air from electric blower 38 is discharged to the outside of main body 5 through exhaust air duct 41.

The suction port 34 sucks in dust together with air by a negative pressure generated by the electric blower 38. The suction port 34 is disposed on the front side in the forward direction F of the wiping and dust collecting unit 32. The suction port 34 extends in the width direction of the main body 5. In other words, the opening width of the suction port 34 in the left-right direction is larger than the opening width of the suction port 34 in the front-rear direction. Since the bottom surface of the main body 5 faces and faces the surface f to be cleaned during autonomous movement, the suction port 34 easily sucks in dust on the surface f to be cleaned or dust collected from the surface f to be cleaned by the rotary brush 35.

The rotation center line of the rotating brush 35 is directed in the width direction of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1. When the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on the surface f to be cleaned in a movable state, the rotary brush 35 contacts the surface f to be cleaned. Therefore, the rotary brush 35 driven to rotate collects dust on the dust suction surface f. The collected dust is efficiently sucked into the suction port 34.

The brush motor 36 rotates the rotary brush 35 forward or backward. The normal rotation direction of the rotating brush 35 is a rotation direction that assists the propulsive force of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 when the cleaner moves forward. The reverse direction of the rotating brush 35 is a rotating direction that assists the propelling force of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 when moving backward.

The dust container 37 accumulates dust sucked from the suction port 34 by the suction negative pressure generated by the electric blower 38. The dust container 37 is a separator that accumulates dust by inertial separation such as a filter that filters and traps dust, centrifugal separation (cyclone separation), and straight separation (separation method that separates dust from air by a difference in inertial force between straight air and dust). The dust container 37 is detachable from the main body 5. The dust container 37 has a lid that can be opened and closed. The user can detach the dust container 37 from the main body 5, open the cover of the dust container 37, and easily discard the dust stored in the dust container 37, or clean the dust container 37.

The electric blower 38 consumes electric power of the secondary battery 6 and drives the same. The electric blower 38 sucks air from the dust container 37 to generate a suction negative pressure. The negative pressure generated in the dust container 37 acts on the suction port 34. The main body 5 has an exhaust port through which the exhaust air of the electric blower 38 flows out of the main body 5.

The wiping and dust collecting unit 32 is disposed at the bottom of the main body 5 and behind the suction port 34.

The suction port 34 and the wiping and cleaning member 43 are arranged in front of each other in the forward direction (the direction of the solid arrow F in fig. 2) of the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1, and the suction port 34 is disposed on the front side of the wiping and cleaning member 43. Thus, when the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward, the suction port 34 moves earlier than the wiping member 43. Therefore, the wiping and cleaning unit 32 wipes and cleans the surface to be cleaned from which the dust is removed by the suction and cleaning unit 31.

The wiping and cleaning unit 32 performs wiping and cleaning or polishing cleaning of the surface f to be cleaned under the main body 5, for example. The wiping and dust collecting unit 32 includes a wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45 to which the wiping and dust collecting member 43 is attachable and detachable, and the wiping and dust collecting member 43.

The wiping/dust collecting member attachment portion 45 is a base to which the sheet-like wiping/dust collecting member 43 is attached by a hook and loop fastener, the sheet-like wiping/dust collecting member 43 is wound, or a part of the wiping/dust collecting member 43 is inserted into the insertion port and fixed. The wiping/cleaning member attachment portion 45 is configured to bring the wiping/cleaning member 43 into contact with the surface f to be cleaned in a state where the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on the surface f to be cleaned. The wiping/cleaning member attachment portion 45 itself can be attached to and detached from the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1.

The wiping and dust-collecting member 43 is a wiping and dust-collecting sheet made of a fibrous material such as a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The dust-cleaning member 43 is a variety of absorbent dust-cleaning tools such as a wiping sheet, a dust cloth, a wiper, a mop (a fiber mass at the tip other than the handle portion), and the like. The material of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 is natural fibers such as cotton, regenerated fibers such as cellulose, polyamide fibers such as polyester fibers, nylon 6, nylon 66, and nylon 46, and synthetic fibers such as polyolefin fibers such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The dust-wiping member 43 may be a sponge. The dust wiping member 43 may be integrally formed with a member made of a Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP). The super absorbent polymer is a so-called absorbent polymer, super absorbent resin, or polymer absorber. The wiping and dust-collecting member 43 integrally having a member made of a highly water-absorbent polymer can hold a larger amount of electrolyzed water.

The wiping and dust collecting member 43 is attachable to and detachable from the bottom surface of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45. When the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on the surface f to be cleaned in a movable state, the wiping and cleaning unit 32 contacts the surface f to be cleaned. The wiping and cleaning unit 32 is preferably pressed against the surface f to be cleaned with a pressure to such an extent that the driving wheel 26 does not run idle on the surface f to be cleaned. An elastic member such as foamed resin is provided between the wiping and dust suction portion 32 and the bottom surface of the main body 5. The elastic member presses the wiping and dust suction portion 32 against the surface f to be cleaned with a uniform pressure.

The wiping and dust-collecting member 43 is also an embodiment of the supply unit 18 for supplying the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generating unit 17 to the outside of the main body 5. The wiping and dust-collecting member 43 wipes the surface f to be cleaned with water in a wet state by the electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolyzed water forming unit 17.

Further, when the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generation unit 17 is supplied to the surface f to be cleaned without passing through the wiping and dust-collecting member 43, the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 can wipe off the electrolyzed water scattered on the surface f to be cleaned.

That is, the wiping/suction member 43 can be used for so-called water wiping in which the electrolytic water is included and is wetted and the electrolytic water is applied to the surface f to be cleaned, and can also be used for so-called wiping in which the electrolytic water scattered on the surface f to be cleaned is wiped off. In other words, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 disperses or coats the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid on the surface f to be cleaned as it moves, and removes bacteria from the surface f to be cleaned.

Whether wiping by the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 is dry wiping or water wiping depends on the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed from the electrolyzed water generating unit 17 onto the surface f to be cleaned and the amount of electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolyzed water generating unit 17 to the wiping and dust-collecting member 43. For example, if the amount of electrolytic water to be supplied to the floor surface is small, the electrolytic water evaporates before the wiping and dust collecting member 43 becomes wet. In this case, the drying operation by the dust suction wiping part 43 is continued. If the amount of the electrolyzed water to be supplied to the floor surface is large, the electrolyzed water is not completely evaporated and the wiping/suction member 43 is wetted. In this case, the drying based on the wiping of the dust suction part 43 is finally transferred from the drying to the water wiping.

The detection unit 13 detects an object to be detected that approaches the main body 5 as the main body 5 moves, or an object to be detected that is in contact with the main body 5. The detection section 13 includes: a camera unit 51 provided in the main body 5 and configured to photograph an image around the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1; an approach detection unit 52 provided in the main body 5 and detecting that the main body 5 approaches an object other than the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1, that is, a detected object; and a contact detection unit 53 provided in the main body 5, for detecting that the main body 5 has contacted an object other than the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1, that is, a detected object.

The camera unit 51 is provided on the front surface of the main body 5, and photographs the front side of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1, that is, the traveling direction when the vehicle travels forward.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 may include a distance measuring device 55 for acquiring depth information in a photographing range by a principle different from that of a stereo camera, instead of or in addition to the camera unit 51.

The proximity detection unit 52 is, for example, an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor. The proximity detection unit 52 using an infrared sensor includes a light emitting element that generates infrared light and a light receiving element that receives light and converts the light into an electrical signal. The proximity detection unit 52 emits infrared rays from the light emitting element, receives infrared rays reflected by the object to be detected by the light receiving element, converts the infrared rays into electric power, and detects that the object to be detected approaches within a predetermined distance before the main body 5 comes into contact with the object to be detected when the converted electric power is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The proximity detection unit 52 using an ultrasonic sensor detects an object to be detected using ultrasonic waves instead of infrared rays.

The contact detection unit 53 is a so-called bumper sensor. The contact detection unit 53 is interlocked with the buffer 22 that buffers the impact on the main body 5 when the moving main body 5 comes into contact with the object to be detected. When the buffer 22 comes into contact with the object, it is displaced so as to be pushed toward the inside of the main body 5. The contact detection unit 53 detects the displacement of the damper 22 and detects that the main body 5 is in contact with the object to be detected. The contact detection unit 53 includes, for example, a micro switch that is turned on and off by displacement of the bumper 22, or an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor that contactlessly measures the displacement amount of the bumper 22.

The secondary battery 6 stores electric power consumed by each unit of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 including the power supply circuit of the moving unit 11, the dust suction unit 12, the detection unit 13, the control unit 15, and the electrolyzed water generation unit 17. The secondary battery 6 supplies electric power to each unit of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 including the moving unit 11, the dust suction unit 12, the detection unit 13, and the control unit 15. The secondary battery 6 is, for example, a lithium ion battery, and has a control circuit for controlling charging and discharging. The control circuit outputs information on charging and discharging of the secondary battery 6 to the control unit 15.

The sump 16 is a container for storing water and brine. The water stored in the sump 16 may also be tap water. The sump 16 is preferably attachable to and detachable from the main body 5 in order to improve convenience of water supply. The storage tank 16 includes a lid that can be opened and closed. The storage tank 16 can be easily supplied with water or brine by opening the lid.

The electrolyzed water generation unit 17 is, for example, a unit that generates electrolyzed water in which ozone is dissolved by electrolyzing water, or a unit that generates electrolyzed water in which Hypochlorous Acid (HClO: Hypochlorous Acid) is dissolved by electrolyzing brine. In japan, tap water readily available at home contains chlorine under the regulations of the waterway law. In the waterway law in japan, it is specified that the concentration of chlorine in tap water is one-tenth ppm (parts per million by mass, milligrams per liter) or more (article No. 17, No. 3) based on the waterway law enforcement rule of the waterway law in article 22 (ministry of health and labor). The electrolyzed water generation unit 17 can easily generate electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing water containing chlorine such as tap water in japan or an aqueous solution in which chloride is dissolved. The chloride may be, for example, a salt which is readily available in ordinary households. That is, the aqueous solution in which the chloride is dissolved may be brine. The electrolyzed water generation unit 17 includes: an electrode 61 including a positive electrode and a negative electrode; and a power supply circuit that applies a voltage to the electrode 61 by the electric power supplied from the secondary battery 6.

The electrode 61 of the electrolyzed water forming section 17 is made of a material that is hardly soluble in water, such as titanium or platinum. The electrode 61 may support (support) a platinum group metal such as iridium, platinum, or ruthenium, or an oxide thereof, in order to promote electrolysis. The electrolyzed water generates chemical species such as hydrogen peroxide, active oxygen, OH free radical and the like. An electrode 61 is disposed within the reservoir 16.

The electrolyzed water forming unit 17 may be a 1-chamber type having no partition between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, a 2-chamber type having a partition between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, or a multi-chamber type including a 3-chamber type. The 1-chamber electrolyzed water forming unit 17 neutralizes acidic ionized water formed on the positive electrode side and alkaline ionized water formed on the negative electrode side to form electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid at an appropriate concentration. On the other hand, the multi-chamber electrolyzed water forming unit 17 forms acidic ionized water in the chamber containing the positive electrode and forms basic ionized water in the chamber containing the negative electrode.

In addition, in the multi-chamber electrolytic water generator 42, the usage amounts of the acidic ionized water and the alkaline ionized water may become uneven, and a load of treating one of the remaining ionized water may be generated. The 1-chamber electrolyzed water forming apparatus 42 does not cause a burden of processing the remaining ionized water as in the multi-chamber type, and may be more suitable for a user than the multi-chamber type.

However, the inventors found that: the surface f to be cleaned can be sterilized by diffusing or spraying electrolyzed water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5ppm or more to the surface f to be cleaned at a supply amount of one-tenth microliter per square centimeter or more. Therefore, the electrolyzed water forming section 17 has the capability of electrolyzing water having a chlorine concentration of one-tenth ppm or more, that is, water suitable for tap water in the japanese water channel method, to form electrolyzed water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5ppm or more. Further, since the chlorine concentration of tap water is low, when electrolytic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5ppm or more is difficult to be generated even when tap water is electrolyzed, a chloride such as a salt may be dissolved in the tap water.

The supply unit 18 supplies the electrolyzed water so that the electrolyzed water can be diffused or dispersed in the surface f to be cleaned in a supply amount of one-tenth microliter per square centimeter or more. The supply unit 18 supplies the electrolyzed water to at least one of the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 and the surface f to be cleaned. The supply unit 18 includes: a pipe for leading the electrolyzed water from the tank 16; a first supply mechanism 63 for supplying electrolyzed water from the storage tank 16 to the wiping and dust-collecting member 43; and a second supply mechanism 65 for supplying electrolyzed water from the tank 16 to the surface f to be cleaned. The supply unit 18 may have any one of the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65.

The first supply mechanism 63 includes: a first supply port 71 for supplying electrolytic water to the back surface of the dust wiping and sucking member 43; and a first on-off valve 72 provided in the middle of the pipe and configured to supply and shut off the supply of the electrolyzed water to the first supply port 71. The front surface of the dust wiping and sucking member 43 is a surface that is in contact with the surface f to be cleaned, and the back surface of the dust wiping and sucking member 43 is a surface opposite to the front surface, that is, a surface that is not in contact with the surface f to be cleaned.

The first supply port 71 may be plural. For example, the first supply ports 71 are preferably arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 5, that is, in the width direction of the wiping and suctioning member 43. The first supply port 71 arranged in this manner can wet a wide area of the wiping and dust suction member 43 by the electrolyzed water. The first supply port 71 may be an elongated, flat opening having a long side extending in the width direction of the main body 5.

The first opening-closing valve 72 is a so-called electromagnetic valve. The first supply mechanism 63 opens the first on-off valve 72 to supply the electrolyzed water by utilizing a head difference, which is a difference in height between the water level of the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 and the first supply port 71. The first supply mechanism 63 may be provided with a pump for pumping up the electrolytic water in the tank 16 instead of the first on-off valve 72. The first supply mechanism 63 may be a flow path, such as a narrow tube or a small hole, through which the electrolytic water in the tank 16 flows. In this case, the inner diameter or the small pore diameter of the narrow tube is appropriately and favorably set so as to obtain a required supply amount (supply amount per unit time) of the electrolyzed water.

The second supply mechanism 65 includes: a second supply port 73 for spraying electrolyzed water onto the surface f to be cleaned; and a second on-off valve 74 provided in the middle of the pipe and configured to supply and shut off the supply of the electrolyzed water to the second supply port 73.

The second supply port 73 is, for example, a nozzle capable of spraying electrolytic water. The electrolyzed water is supplied to the surface f to be cleaned sandwiched between the suction port 34 and the wiping and cleaning member 43. In other words, the supply unit 18 supplies the electrolyzed water from the second supply port 73 to the surface f to be cleaned sandwiched between the suction port 34 and the wiping and cleaning member 43.

The second supply port 73 may be plural. For example, the second supply ports 73 are preferably arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 5, i.e., in the width direction of the wiping and suctioning member 43. The second supply port 73 thus arranged spreads the electrolytic water to a wider extent as the main body 5 advances. The second supply port 73 may be an elongated, flat nozzle having a long side extending in the width direction of the main body 5.

The second opening-closing valve 74 is a so-called electromagnetic valve. The second supply mechanism 65 opens the second on-off valve 74 to supply the electrolyzed water by using a head difference, which is a difference in height between the water level of the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 and the second supply port 73. The second supply mechanism 65 may be provided with a pump for pumping up the electrolytic water in the tank 16 in place of the second on-off valve 74. The second supply mechanism 65 may be a flow path, such as a narrow tube or a small hole, through which the electrolytic water in the tank 16 flows. In this case, the inner diameter or the small pore diameter of the narrow tube is appropriately and favorably set so as to obtain a required supply amount (supply amount per unit time) of the electrolyzed water.

The supply unit 18 is provided with a third supply mechanism 66 for supplying electrolytic water from the tank 16 to the air around the main body 5. The third supply mechanism 66 includes: an atomizing device 76 for atomizing the electrolytic water and supplying the atomized electrolytic water to the air around the main body 5; and a water guide path 77 for guiding the electrolyzed water to the atomizing device 76.

The atomizer 76 is disposed at the top of the sump 16. The atomizing device 76 diffuses or spreads the atomized electrolyzed water from the top of the storage tank 16 toward the air around the main body 5.

The atomizing device 76 is used in various atomizing methods such as a heating method of heating and atomizing the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generating section 17, an ultrasonic method of vibrating and atomizing the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generating section 17 by ultrasonic waves, a method of atomizing the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generating section 17 by injection using a venturi effect, for example, spraying, an electrostatic atomization method of atomizing the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzed water generating section 17 by corona discharge, and a water pulverization method of diffusing the electrolyzed water by a propeller or the like rotating at high speed to pulverize water molecules. In either mode, the atomizing device 76 atomizes the electrolytic water so as to contain fine particles having a diameter of 100 μm or less, and more preferably atomizes the electrolytic water so as to contain fine particles having a diameter of 10 μm or less.

The water guide path 77 is a string or a rope that sucks up the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 by capillary action, for example.

The autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 includes a moisture absorption portion 79 provided in the intake air passage 39 and absorbing the electrolyzed water (moisture) sucked into the intake air passage 39 by the suction negative pressure. When the electrolytic water is sucked into suction air duct 39, moisture absorption unit 79 absorbs the electrolytic water before it reaches electric blower 38, thereby preventing the electrolytic water from reaching electric blower 38. The moisture absorption portion 79 is, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The material of the moisture absorbing portion 79 is natural fiber such as cotton, regenerated fiber such as cellulose, polyamide fiber such as polyester fiber, nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 46, and the like, and synthetic fiber such as polyolefin fiber such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. The absorbent portion 79 may be a sponge. The moisture absorption portion 79 may be integrally provided with a member made of a high water absorbent polymer. The moisture absorption portion 79 integrally having a high water-absorbent polymer member can hold a larger amount of electrolytic water.

The moisture absorber 79 may be provided in the upstream air passage 39u or the downstream air passage 39d of the intake air passage 39. The moisture absorption portion 79 may be provided in the dust container 37. The moisture absorbing portion 79 may also serve as a filter of the dust container 37 for separating dust from the dust-containing air sucked into the suction air duct 39.

Next, the sump 16 will be described in detail. Note that the same components in the tank 16A of the first example (hereinafter, simply referred to as "tank 16A") and the tank 16B of the second example (hereinafter, simply referred to as "tank 16B") are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a sump of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a sump of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the sump 16A according to the first example of the present embodiment has a D-shaped appearance in which a part of the disc-shaped body 5 is cut out in a plan view, and has substantially the same height as the body 5 in a side view. The tank 16A is surrounded by an arc continuous with the side surface of the main body 5 and a chord connecting both ends of the arc. The chord of the sump 16A faces a portion of the outer surface of the main body 5.

The tank 16A includes a plurality of containers 81 that can be separated or coupled. The plurality of containers 81 include a first container portion 82A for storing water before electrolysis and a second container portion 83A for storing the electrode 61 of the electrolyzed water forming unit 17.

Then, the first tank portion 82A of the sump 16A is horizontally disconnected from the second tank portion 83A. The first container portion 82A and the second container portion 83A are adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction. The first container portion 82A and the second container portion 83A may be separated in the horizontal direction and coupled to each other in the horizontal direction, or may be separated in the vertical direction and coupled to each other in the vertical direction. The tank 16A that can be separated and coupled in the horizontal direction is coupled by separating the first tank 82A and the second tank 83A horizontally away from each other and approaching each other. The tank 16A that can be separated and coupled in the vertical direction is separated and coupled by sliding the first tank 82A and the second tank 83A in the vertical direction.

The height of the second container portion 83A is substantially the same as the height of the first container portion 82A. The volume of second container portion 83A is smaller than the volume of first container portion 82A. Second receptacle portion 83A is a rectangular receptacle that includes a portion of the chord of sump 16A. The first container portion 82A is a container having a shape obtained by cutting a rectangle including a part of the chord portion, including the circular arc portion and the remaining part of the chord portion of the sump 16A. The first container portion 82A is coupled to the second container portion 83A so as to shield the left and right side surfaces and the back surface of the second container portion 83A.

Further, the tank 16A is detachable from the main body 5. In other words, the first container portion 82A and the second container portion 83A are integrally attachable to and detachable from the main body 5. The first container portion 82A and the second container portion 83A may be attached and detached independently from each other. Either one of the first container portion 82A and the second container portion 83A may be detachable from the main body 5, and the other may be integral with the main body 5.

When first container portion 82A is detachable, first container portion 82A can be detached from main body 5, whereby water can be easily supplied to first container portion 82A. In addition, when water is supplied, it is possible to prevent water from being sprinkled onto electric components such as the electric blower 38 and electronic components such as the control unit 15 in the main body 5 and causing malfunction of these components.

When the second container part 83A is detachable, the electrodes 61 and the second container part 83A themselves can be easily cleaned by detaching the second container part 83A from the main body 5. In addition, during cleaning, it is possible to prevent water from being sprinkled onto electric components, such as the electric blower 38, and electronic components, such as the control unit 15, in the main body 5, and causing malfunction of these components.

When sump 16A is attachable and detachable in an integrated state, water supply to first tank portion 82A and cleaning of second tank portion 83A can be easily performed at the same time.

A water supply port 85 for introducing water into the container and a cover 86 for opening and closing the water supply port 85 are provided at the top of the first container portion 82A. The user can easily supply water to first container portion 82A by opening lid 86. Further, the user can easily prevent water leakage from the first container portion 82A by closing the lid 86.

A supply port 87 for electrolytic water connected to the supply portion 18 is provided in the bottom of the second container portion 83A. An air hole for discharging air in the container is provided in the top portion of the second container portion 83A. The air hole may be open to the outside of the second container portion 83A, or may be connected to the first container portion 82A. A water level gauge 88 for measuring the amount of liquid stored in the second container portion 83A, that is, the level of electrolytic water, is provided inside the second container portion 83A.

The water level gauge 88 may be either contact or non-contact. The contact type water level gauge 88 may be of a float type for measuring a water level based on a position of a float (float) provided in the second tank portion 83A in a vertical direction, or of a capacitance type for measuring a water level by detecting capacitance between a pair of electrodes. The noncontact type water level meter 88 can adopt a known method of measuring a water level using radio waves, ultrasonic waves, or light waves, for example.

A joint 89 fluidly connecting the two containers is provided at the bottom of the first container portion 82A and the second container portion 83A. The joint 89 has a half on the first container portion 82A side and a half on the second container portion 83A side. Joint 89 connects the half body on the first container portion 82A side and the half body on the second container portion 83A side to open the passage of water. The half body on the first container portion 82A side and the half body on the second container portion 83A side close the passages in the non-connected state, and prevent water (electrolyzed water) in the container from leaking. It is preferable that the joint 89 is easily connected with the connection of the first container part 82A and the second container part 83A, and easily disconnected with the separation of the first container part 82A and the second container part 83A. For example, in the case where the tanks 16A can be separated and connected in the horizontal direction, the joint 89 preferably has a half body provided at the bottom of the side wall of the first tank portion 82A and a half body provided at the bottom of the side wall of the second tank portion 83A. In the case where the tanks 16A can be separated and connected in the vertical direction, the joint 89 preferably includes a half body provided on the bottom wall of either the first tank 82A or the second tank 83A, and a half body provided on a connecting pipe extending from the other of the first tank 82A or the second tank 83A to the lower side of either the first tank 82A or the second tank 83A.

At least, when the water level of the water stored in first container 82A is higher than the water level of the water or electrolyzed water stored in second container 83A, the water stored in first container 82A is supplied to second container 83A. In other words, the sump 16A supplies the water stored in the first tank 82A to the second tank 83A due to the head difference between the first tank 82A and the second tank 83A. That is, every time the generated electrolyzed water is consumed in second container unit 83A, the water stored in first container unit 82A is supplied to second container unit 83A. Therefore, the water level of first container portion 82A and the water level of second container portion 83A are balanced with each other.

The electrode 61 of the electrolyzed water forming section 17 is plate-shaped and extends in a vertical direction. In other words, the normal line of the electrode 61 is oriented in the horizontal direction. The electrodes 61 include at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode. The positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are alternately arranged in the direction of the normal line thereof.

The positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61 of the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 can also serve as the water level gauge 88. The electrode 61 extending in the vertical direction changes the ratio of the portion immersed in water (in the electrolytic water) to the portion exposed to the gas in the second container portion 83A with a change in the water level (the liquid level of the electrolytic water) of the second container portion 83A. The change in the ratio changes the current value flowing between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61. Therefore, the electrolyzed water generation unit 17 estimates the amount of water stored in the tank 16 based on the change in the current value flowing between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61.

The supply unit 18, i.e., the first supply mechanism unit 63, the second supply mechanism unit 65, and the third supply mechanism unit 66, is provided in the tank 16A, but may be provided in the main body 5. When the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65 are provided in the tank 16A, the pipe of the supply unit 18 is integrated with the tank 16A and reaches the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65. When the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65 are provided in the main body 5, the pipe of the supply unit 18 reaches the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65 from the tank 16A through the inside of the main body 5. When the third supply mechanism 66 is provided in the sump 16A, the water guide path 77 of the supply unit 18 is provided in the sump 16A and reaches the third supply mechanism 66. When the third supply mechanism 66 is provided in the main body 5, the water guide path 77 of the supply unit 18 reaches the third supply mechanism 66 from the sump 16A through the inside of the main body 5.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a sump of a second example of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a sump of a second example of an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, the tank 16B of the second example of the present embodiment includes a first tank 82B for storing water before electrolysis and a second tank 83B for storing the electrodes 61 of the electrolyzed water forming unit 17.

Then, the first container portion 82B of the tank 16B is disconnected from the second container portion 83B in the vertical direction. First container portion 82B and second container portion 83B are stacked vertically. The first container portion 82B and the second container portion 83B may be separated in the horizontal direction and coupled in the horizontal direction, or may be separated in the vertical direction and coupled in the vertical direction. The tank 16B, which can be separated and coupled in the horizontal direction, is separated and coupled by sliding the first tank 82B and the second tank 83B in the horizontal direction. The tank 16B, which can be separated and coupled in the vertical direction, is coupled by separating the first tank 82B and the second tank 83B in the vertical direction and approaching each other in the vertical direction.

The shape of the second container portion 83B is substantially the same as the shape of the first container portion 82B in plan view. The height of the second container portion 83B is lower than the height of the first container portion 82B. The volume of second container portion 83B is smaller than the volume of first container portion 82B. The first container portion 82B is connected to the second container portion 83B so as to shield the top surface of the second container portion 83B.

Further, the tank 16B is detachable from the main body 5. In other words, the first container portion 82B and the second container portion 83B are integrally attachable to and detachable from the main body 5. The first container portion 82B and the second container portion 83B may be attachable and detachable independently. Either one of the first container portion 82B and the second container portion 83B may be detachable from the main body 5, and the other may be integral with the main body 5.

When first tank 82B is detachable, first tank 82B can be detached from main body 5, whereby water can be easily supplied to first tank 82B. In addition, when water is supplied, it is possible to prevent water from being sprinkled onto electric components such as the electric blower 38 and electronic components such as the control unit 15 in the main body 5 and causing malfunction of these components.

When the second container portion 83B is detachable, the electrode 61 and the second container portion 83B can be easily cleaned by detaching the second container portion 83B from the main body 5. In addition, during cleaning, it is possible to prevent water from being sprinkled onto electric components, such as the electric blower 38, and electronic components, such as the control unit 15, in the main body 5, and causing malfunction of these components.

When tank 16B is attachable and detachable in an integrated state, water supply to first tank 82B and cleaning of second tank 83B can be easily performed at the same time.

A water supply port 85 for introducing water into the container and a cover 86 for opening and closing the water supply port 85 are provided on the top of the first container portion 82B. The user can easily supply water to first container portion 82B by opening lid 86. Further, the user can easily prevent water leakage from first container portion 82B by closing lid 86.

A supply port 87 for electrolytic water connected to the supply portion 18 is provided in the bottom of the second container portion 83B. An air hole for discharging air in the container is provided in the top portion of the second container portion 83B. The air hole may be open to the outside of the second container portion 83B, or may be connected to the first container portion 82B. A water level gauge 88 for measuring the amount of liquid stored in the second container part 83B, that is, the level of electrolyzed water, is provided inside the second container part 83B.

Fittings 89 fluidly connecting the two containers are provided at the bottom of first container portion 82B and at the top of second container portion 83B. The joint 89 has a half on the first container portion 82B side and a half on the second container portion 83B side. Joint 89 connects the half on the first container portion 82B side to the half of second container portion 83B to open the passage of water. The half body on the first container portion 82B side and the half body on the second container portion 83B side close the passages in the non-coupled state, and prevent water (electrolyzed water) in the container from leaking. It is preferable that the joint 89 is easily coupled with the coupling of the first container portion 82B and the second container portion 83B, and is easily opened with the separation of the first container portion 82B and the second container portion 83B. For example, in the case where tank 16B can be separated and connected in the vertical direction, joint 89 preferably has a half body provided on the bottom wall of first tank portion 82B and a half body provided on the ceiling wall of second tank portion 83B. When tank 16B can be separated and connected in the horizontal direction, joint 89 preferably has a half body provided on one of the bottom of the side wall of first container portion 82B and the top of the bottom wall of second container portion 83B, and a half body provided on a connecting pipe extending from the other of first container portion 82B and second container portion 83B to the side of one of first container portion 82B and second container portion 83B.

The sump 16B supplies the water stored in the first tank 82B to the second tank 83B by a head difference, which is a difference in height between the first tank 82B and the second tank 83B. The water stored in the first container portion 82B is supplied to the second container portion 83B every time the generated electrolyzed water is consumed in the second container portion 83B. In the sump 16A of the first example, the water level of the first tank 82A and the water level of the second tank 83A are continuously balanced with each other, and in the sump 16B of the second example, the second tank 83B is maintained at full water while water remains in the first tank 82B.

The electrode 61 of the electrolyzed water forming section 17 is plate-shaped and extends to extend in the horizontal direction. In other words, the normal line of the electrode 61 is directed in the vertical direction. The electrodes 61 include at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode. The positive electrodes and the negative electrodes are alternately arranged in the normal direction thereof.

The supply unit 18, i.e., the first supply mechanism unit 63, the second supply mechanism unit 65, and the third supply mechanism unit 66, may be provided in the tank 16B or in the main body 5. When the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65 are provided in the tank 16B, the pipe of the supply unit 18 is integrated with the tank 16B and reaches the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65. When the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65 are provided in the main body 5, the pipe of the supply unit 18 extends from the tank 16B through the inside of the main body 5 to reach the first supply mechanism 63 and the second supply mechanism 65. When the third supply mechanism 66 is provided in the sump 16B, the water guide path 77 of the supply unit 18 is provided in the sump 16B and reaches the third supply mechanism 66. When the third supply mechanism 66 is provided in the main body 5, the water guide path 77 of the supply unit 18 reaches the third supply mechanism 66 from the sump 16B through the inside of the main body 5.

Fig. 8 is a block diagram of an autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 8 in addition to fig. 2 to 3, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a communication unit 91 in addition to the motor 27 of the moving unit 11, the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 of the suction/dust-suction unit 31, the detection unit 13, the control unit 15, the secondary battery 6, the electrolyzed water generation unit 17, and the supply unit 18.

The communication unit 91 includes a transmitter 91a for transmitting an infrared signal to the station 8, a receiver 91b for receiving the infrared signal transmitted from the station 8 and the remote controller. The transmission unit 91a includes, for example, an infrared light emitting element. The receiving portion 91b includes, for example, a phototransistor.

The camera unit 51 of the detection unit 13 is, for example, a digital camera. That is, the camera unit 51 includes an image pickup device 51a (image sensor) that converts a photographed image into an electric signal, and an optical system 51b that forms an image on the image pickup device 51a and generates an image. The image sensor 51a is, for example, a CCD image sensor (Charge-Coupled Device image sensor) or a CMOS image sensor (Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor image sensor). Therefore, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can immediately process digital data of an image photographed by the camera section 51. That is, the image captured by the camera unit 51 can be compressed into a predetermined data format, converted into a binary image, or converted into a grayscale by an image processing circuit, for example. The camera unit 51 captures an image in a visible light region, for example. An image in the visible light region has better image quality than an image in the infrared region, for example, and information that can be visually recognized can be easily provided to a user without performing complicated image processing.

The camera unit 51 is a so-called stereo camera. The camera unit 51 superimposes the photographed images on each other within a photographing range including a front position in which a center line in the width direction of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 is extended. The camera unit 51 can obtain information of the depth (the separation distance viewed from the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1) within the imaging range. An image containing depth information is referred to as a "distance image".

The camera unit 51 may be provided with an illumination device such as an led (light Emitting diode) or a bulb in parallel. The illumination device illuminates a part or all of the imaging range of the camera portion 51. The lighting device is capable of causing the camera unit 51 to acquire an appropriate image even in a dark place such as a shadow of an obstacle such as furniture or in a dark environment such as at night.

A large number of pixels are arranged on the light-receiving surface of the imaging element 51 a. Each pixel of the light receiving surface converts received light into an electrical signal. The information of the light received by each pixel is combined according to the position of each pixel, thereby obtaining an image representing the scene photographed by the camera unit 51. The general image pickup device 51a picks up a color image. The color image is expressed by mixing three colors of red, green, and blue, for example.

The distance measuring device 55 includes a light emitting unit 55a that emits light to a range in which depth information is to be obtained, and a light receiving unit 55b that receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 55 a. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can acquire distance information from the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 to the object to be detected based on a time difference between when the light emitting section 55a starts emitting light and when the light receiving section 55b receives the reflected light. The light emitting section 55a emits infrared light or visible light, for example.

The control unit 15 includes, for example: a Central Processing Unit (CPU); an auxiliary storage device (for example, Read Only Memory: ROM) for storing various operation programs, parameters, and the like executed (processed) by the central processing unit; and a main storage device (e.g., Random access memory: RAM) that dynamically secures a work area of the program. The auxiliary storage device is preferably a rewritable storage device such as a nonvolatile memory.

The control unit 15 is electrically connected to the motor 27 of the moving unit 11, the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 of the suction/dust collection unit 31, the detection unit 13, the secondary battery 6, and the communication unit 91. The control unit 15 controls the motor 27 of the moving unit 11, the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 of the suction/dust-suction unit 31, the detection unit 13, and the secondary battery 6 in accordance with an instruction received from the station 8 and the remote controller via the communication unit 91, and performs autonomous operation and autonomous movement of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1.

The control unit 15 includes an autonomous movement control unit 101 that controls autonomous movement of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1, and a detection control unit 102 that controls the operation of the detection unit 13. The autonomous movement control unit 101 and the detection control unit 102 are calculation programs.

The autonomous movement control unit 101 includes: a Map information storage unit 103 that stores Environment Map information (Environment Map) of the dust collection area a; a movement control unit 105 for controlling the operation of the motor 27 of the movement unit 11; and a suction/dust collection control unit 106 for controlling the operations of the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 of the suction/dust collection unit 31.

The map information storage unit 103 is a collection of data constructed in a storage area secured in the auxiliary storage device, and has an appropriate data structure. The map information storage unit 103 is read from the auxiliary storage device into the main storage device and used, and is overwritten to the auxiliary storage device through appropriate updating.

The environment map information is information used for autonomous movement of the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1, and includes the shape of an area in which the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can move, at least in a place to be cleaned. The environment map information is constructed, for example, as a set of rectangles having one side of 10 centimeters that are neatly arranged. The environment map information may be information prepared in advance when the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 is used, or may be information created while estimating its own position by Simultaneous Localization and mapping (SLAM). The environment map information may be created and updated during the movement accompanying the dust suction operation. When environment map information is created by SLAM, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 preferably includes various sensors such as an encoder in addition to the detection unit 13. The movement control unit 105 creates environment map information based on information acquired from the detection unit 13 and various sensors.

The movement control unit 105 controls the movement unit 11 based on the environment map information to autonomously move the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1. The movement control unit 105 controls the magnitude and direction of the current flowing to the motor 27 to rotate the motor 27 in the normal or reverse direction. The movement control unit 105 controls the driving of the driving wheels 26 by rotating the motor 27 forward or backward.

The suction/dust collection control unit 106 controls the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 independently of each other.

The detection control unit 102 controls the operation of the camera unit 51. The detection control unit 102 causes the camera unit 51 to take images at predetermined time intervals. The detection control unit 102 stores the image captured by the camera unit 51 in the detection result storage unit 107. The image captured by the camera unit 51 is secured to the main storage device by the detection result storage unit 107. The detection result storage unit 107 stores the image captured by the camera unit 51. The detection result storage unit 107 has a capacity capable of storing a plurality of images.

The detection result storage unit 107 may store image information representing an image captured by the camera unit 51 without processing, or may store image information processed so as to reduce the data size while retaining information necessary for analysis processing of the image as much as possible. The image information stored in the detection result storage unit 107 may be, for example, an image obtained by converting an image captured by the camera unit 51 into a grayscale (hereinafter, referred to as an "image" as in the case of the original image captured by the camera unit 51). In the case of a grayscale image, the pixel values of the image coincide with the luminance values. When storing an image converted into a grayscale, the control unit 15 may be able to reduce the capacity of the memory area allocated to the detection result storage unit 107, that is, the resource, to a smaller amount than when storing the original image. In addition, when the image converted into the gray scale is used for the subsequent analysis processing, the control unit 15 can reduce the load on the central processing unit as compared with the case of processing the original image. Image processing including grayscaling of an image may be performed by the camera section 51. The load on the central processing device is reduced by executing image processing by the camera section 51.

Further, the detection control unit 102 controls turning on and off of the illumination device. The illumination device brightens the image, facilitates the analysis process, and improves the accuracy.

The detection control unit 102 also stores the detection result of the proximity detection unit 52, that is, the proximity of the object to be detected to the main body 5, and the separation distance between the object to be detected and the main body 5 at that time, in the detection result storage unit 107.

The detection control unit 102 also stores the detection result of the contact detection unit 53, that is, the contact of the subject with the main body 5 in the detection result storage unit 107.

The electrolyzed water generating unit 17 generates electrolyzed water by electrolyzing water stored in the tanks 16 ( tanks 16A and 16B) by the electric power of the secondary battery 6, for example, while the moving unit 11 moves the main body 5.

However, in tank 16A, when the water level of second tank portion 83A is lower than the water level of first tank portion 82A, water in first tank portion 82A is immediately supplied to second tank portion 83A by the head difference. In the sump 16B, when the water level of the second tank 83B is not full, the water in the first tank 82B is immediately supplied to the second tank 83B by the head difference. Thus, when water is supplied to the first tank parts 82A, 82B in the case where the water or the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 is insufficient, water before electrolysis flows into the second tank parts 83A, 83B in general. As a result, the hypochlorous acid concentration of the electrolyzed water in the second container portions 83A, 83B is reduced.

Therefore, it is preferable that the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 starts the formation of the electrolyzed water before the movement of the main body 5 by the movement unit 11 so that the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid of a desired concentration can be obtained before the movement of the main body 5 is started. For example, the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 starts the formation of electrolyzed water before the moving unit 11 moves the main body 5, so that the time for obtaining electrolyzed water having a desired concentration, for example, hypochlorous acid of 5ppm or more, can be secured in a state where the second container portions 83A, 83B are filled with water before electrolysis. For example, the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 can start the formation of electrolyzed water before the movement of the main body 5 by the movement unit 11 so that the voltage of 7.5 volts is applied to the water before electrolysis in the full water volume of the second container portions 83A and 83B, thereby ensuring the time for obtaining electrolyzed water containing 5ppm hypochlorous acid. The electrolyzed water generating unit 17 may start the generation of the electrolyzed water before the moving unit 11 moves the main body 5 so that the time for obtaining the electrolyzed water can be secured based on the amount of water in the second tank 83A, 83B measured by the water level gauge 88.

In order to quickly obtain electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid of a desired concentration after the start of the movement of the main body 5, the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 increases the voltage applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the counter electrode 61 at least from the start of the movement of the main body 5 by the moving unit 11 until a predetermined time elapses than in the other cases. The voltage value at this time is referred to as a large voltage value. For example, the electrolyzed water generation unit 17 applies a large voltage value, for example, a voltage of 10 volts, to the electrode 61 before the time elapses for obtaining electrolyzed water containing 5ppm hypochlorous acid from the water before electrolysis in the full water volume of the second container portions 83A, 83B. The electrolyzed water forming unit 17 may apply a voltage having a large voltage value to the electrode 61 before the time for obtaining the electrolyzed water elapses based on the amount of water in the second container portions 83A and 83B measured by the water level meter 88.

The electrolyzed water forming unit 17 may change the value of the voltage applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the counter electrode 61 based on the remaining amount of water stored in the tank 16, specifically, the second container portions 83A and 83B.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the amount of water in the reservoir and the voltage applied to the electrodes in the autonomous vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 9, when the amount of water stored in the tank 16 is larger than a predetermined first threshold value, for example, 80% of the full water amount, the electrolyzed water generating unit 17 increases the voltage value applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the counter electrode 61 more than the other times at least before the predetermined time elapses after the movement of the main body 5 is started by the movement unit 11 in order to obtain electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid of a desired concentration quickly. For example, the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 applies a voltage having a large voltage value to the electrode 61 before the time elapses for obtaining electrolyzed water containing 5ppm of hypochlorous acid from water before electrolysis which is 80 percent of the full water amount in the second container units 83A and 83B. The electrolyzed water forming unit 17 may apply a voltage having a large voltage value to the electrode 61 before the time for obtaining the electrolyzed water elapses based on the amount of water in the second container portions 83A and 83B measured by the water level meter 88.

In other words, the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 increases the voltage value applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61 at least until a predetermined time elapses after the movement of the main body 5 is started by the moving unit 11, as compared with the other cases. When the amount of water stored in the tank 16 is larger than a predetermined first threshold value, the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 increases the voltage applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the counter electrode 61 as compared with the other cases.

In a region where the amount of water stored in the reservoir 16 is larger than the predetermined first threshold value, the voltage applied to the electrode 61 may be constant as shown in fig. 9, or may be different depending on the amount of water stored in the reservoir 16. When the voltage is changed in accordance with the amount of water stored in the tank 16, the voltage applied to the electrode 61 increases as the amount of water stored in the tank 16 increases.

When the amount of water stored in the tank 16 is less than a predetermined second threshold value, for example, 20 percent of the full water amount, the electrolyzed water generation unit 17 decreases the voltage applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the counter electrode 61 as compared with the other cases in order to suppress the consumption of the electric power of the secondary battery 6. The voltage value at this time is referred to as a small voltage value. For example, the electrolyzed water forming unit 17 applies a small voltage, for example, a voltage of 5 volts, between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61. The electrolyzed water generator 17 may apply a voltage having a small voltage value between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61 before the time for obtaining the electrolyzed water elapses based on the amount of water in the second container portions 83A and 83B measured by the water level meter 88.

In a region where the amount of water stored in the reservoir 16 is less than the predetermined second threshold value, the voltage applied to the electrode 61 may be constant as shown in fig. 9, or may be different depending on the amount of water stored in the reservoir 16. In the region where the amount of water stored in the tank 16 is equal to or greater than the predetermined second threshold value and equal to or less than the first threshold value, the voltage applied to the electrode 61 may be constant as shown in fig. 9, or may vary depending on the amount of water stored in the tank 16. When the voltage is changed according to the amount of water stored in the reservoir 16, the voltage applied to the electrode 61 increases as the amount of water stored in the reservoir 16 increases.

When electrolysis of all the water stored in the tank 16 is completed, the electrolyzed water generating unit 17 may not apply a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61. For example, after the lapse of time until the voltage of 7.5 volts is applied to the water before electrolysis in the full water volume in the second container parts 83A and 83B to obtain electrolyzed water containing 5ppm hypochlorous acid, the electrolyzed water forming part 17 does not apply a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61.

When the remaining amount of electric power charged in the secondary battery 6 is less than a predetermined remaining amount, the electrolyzed water generating unit 17 does not apply a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61. The predetermined margin is set to a predetermined ratio, for example, 20 percent, with respect to the discharge capacity of the secondary battery 6. The predetermined remaining amount may be an estimated value that is calculated based on the environment map information of the dust collection area a and is required for returning to the station 8 as the charging stand and that satisfies the calculated remaining amount of power, or a value obtained by considering a safety factor for the estimated value.

The supply unit 18 supplies the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 to the surface f to be cleaned under the main body 5 or the wiping and cleaning unit 32 to sterilize the area a to be cleaned. The supply unit 18 controls the second on-off valve 74 and the first on-off valve 72 of the wiping and dust suction unit 32 to control the supply amount of the electrolyzed water supplied from the tank 16 (tank 16A, tank 16B) to the surface f to be cleaned or the wiping and dust suction member 43.

The supply unit 18 starts the supply of the electrolytic water after the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the electrolytic water reaches, for example, 5 ppm. The concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the electrolyzed water can be estimated from the relationship between the amount of water that can be stored in the second container portions 83A and 83B and the voltage applied to the electrode 61 of the electrolyzed water forming portion 17, or a sensor that can measure the concentration of hypochlorous acid may be used. For example, the supply unit 18 applies a voltage of 7.5 volts to the water before electrolysis in the full water volume of the second container units 83A and 83B, and starts the supply of the electrolyzed water after the lapse of the time required to generate the electrolyzed water containing 5ppm of hypochlorous acid. Further, the supply unit 18 may start the supply of the electrolytic water after a time required for the generation of the electrolytic water has elapsed based on the amount of water in the second tank portions 83A and 83B measured by the water level meter 88.

As described above, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes: an electrolyzed water generation unit 17 for generating electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the water stored in the tank 16; and a supply unit 18 for supplying the generated electrolyzed water to the outside of the main body 5. Therefore, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can remove bacteria from the dust-cleaned area a while cleaning the dust-cleaned area a by moving back and forth.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of separable and connectable containers 81. The plurality of containers 81 include first container portions 82A, 82B for storing water before electrolysis, and second container portions 83A, 83B for storing the electrodes 61 of the electrolyzed water forming portion 17. Therefore, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can complete the supply to the tank 16 by supplying water before electrolysis, for example, tap water, only to the first tank sections 82A and 82B that do not house the electrodes 61 of the electrolyzed water forming unit 17. In this case, it is possible to prevent the user from performing unnecessary processing on the electrodes 61 housed in the second container portions 83A, 83B, and further prevent the electrodes 61 from being damaged.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes first container portions 82A and 82B that are attachable to and detachable from the main body 5. Therefore, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can supply water before electrolysis, for example, tap water to the tank 16 by detaching only the first container portions 82A and 82B not accommodating the electrodes 61 from the main body 5 without detaching the electrodes 61 of the electrolyzed water forming portion 17 from the main body 5. Accordingly, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can prevent the user from performing unnecessary processing on the electrodes 61 housed in the second container portions 83A and 83B, and further prevent the electrodes 61 from being damaged, and can prevent moisture from entering the main body 5 housing the electric blower 38 and the control portion 15 when water is supplied to the tank 16.

The autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment supplies the water stored in the first tank 82A, 82B to the second tank 83A, 83B by using the head difference between the first tank 82A, 82B and the second tank 83A, 83B. Therefore, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 includes the sump 16 divided into the plurality of tanks 81, and energy is not consumed for transferring water between the plurality of tanks 81, or a feeding mechanism such as a pump is not required. Further, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can transfer water between the plurality of tanks 81 with extremely high reliability.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes second tank portions 83A and 83B having a smaller volume than the first tank portions 82A and 82B. Therefore, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 includes the tank 16 having a sufficient capacity for sterilizing the entire area of the area a to be cleaned, and can quickly fill with the electrolyzed water in response to the consumption of the electrolyzed water.

The autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes container portions 82A and 83A divided in the horizontal direction, and an electrode 61 extending to extend in the vertical direction. Therefore, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can accommodate the electrode 61 having a larger area in the limited volume of the second container portion 83A, and can improve the efficiency of generating electrolyzed water.

The autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment may further include the container portions 82B and 83B divided in the vertical direction, and the electrode 61 extending to extend in the horizontal direction. In this case, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can also accommodate the electrode 61 having a larger area in the limited volume of the second tank portion 83B, and can improve the efficiency of generating electrolyzed water.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a wiping/dust-collecting member attachment portion 45 to which the wiping/dust-collecting member 43 is attachable/detachable, and a first supply mechanism portion 63 that supplies electrolyzed water from the tank 16 to the wiping/dust-collecting member 43. Therefore, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can perform wiping and cleaning while sterilizing the surface f to be cleaned with the electrolytic water. In the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1, since the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 is wetted by the electrolyzed water, the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 itself can be sterilized.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment further includes a second supply mechanism 65 for supplying electrolyzed water from the sump 16 to the surface f to be cleaned. Therefore, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can directly sterilize the surface f to be cleaned with the electrolyzed water.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment further includes a third supply mechanism 66 for supplying electrolyzed water from the sump 16 to the air around the main body 5. Therefore, the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 can remove bacteria by spreading the electrolytic water over a wide area or the entire area of the dust-cleaned area a while moving in the dust-cleaned area a.

The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment further includes an atomizing device 76 for atomizing the electrolytic water and supplying the atomized water to the air around the main body 5. Therefore, the autonomous vacuum cleaner 1 can efficiently perform sterilization by easily spreading electrolytic water over a wide area or the entire area of the dust-cleaned area a while moving in the dust-cleaned area a.

Thus, according to the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment, the dust can be sucked while moving back and forth in the dust-sucked area a, and the bacteria can be removed from the dust-sucked area a.

Several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and variations thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the scope of the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims (15)

1. An autonomous electric vacuum cleaner is provided with:

a main body;

a moving unit for moving the main body;

a storage tank disposed in the main body and storing water;

an electrolyzed water generation unit configured to generate electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the water stored in the tank; and

a supply unit configured to supply the generated electrolyzed water to the outside of the main body.

2. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of claim 1,

the main body has a main body housing having a height substantially the same as that of the sump.

3. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of claim 1 or 2,

the main body is provided with a main body shell,

the main body case and the storage tank cooperate to define an outline of the autonomous vacuum cleaner in a plan view.

4. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 1 to 3,

the above-mentioned storage tank includes:

a first container part for storing the water before electrolysis; and

a second container part for accommodating the electrode of the electrolyzed water forming part.

5. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of claim 4,

the first container portion is attachable to and detachable from the main body.

6. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of claim 4 or 5,

the sump moves the water stored in the first tank portion toward the second tank portion by a head difference between the first tank portion and the second tank portion.

7. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 4 to 6,

the volume of the second container portion is smaller than the volume of the first container portion.

8. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 4 to 7,

the first container part and the second container part are adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction,

the electrodes extend in the vertical direction.

9. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 4 to 7,

the first container part and the second container part are stacked in a vertical direction,

the electrodes extend in the horizontal direction.

10. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 1 to 9,

the supply unit includes:

a wiping dust-absorbing component mounting part which can be assembled and disassembled; and

a first supply mechanism for supplying the electrolyzed water from the storage tank to the wiping and dust-collecting member.

11. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 1 to 10,

the cleaner main body is provided with a suction inlet,

the autonomous electric vacuum cleaner includes:

an electric blower for generating negative pressure in a suction air passage connected to the suction port; and

and a dust collecting unit for collecting dust sucked by the negative pressure acting on the suction port.

12. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of claim 11,

the suction port and the supply unit are arranged in tandem, and the suction port is disposed on the front side of the supply unit.

13. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 1 to 12,

the supply unit includes a second supply mechanism unit for supplying the electrolyzed water from the tank to the surface to be cleaned.

14. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of any one of claims 1 to 12,

the supply unit includes a third supply mechanism unit that supplies the electrolyzed water from the storage tank to the air around the main body.

15. The autonomous electric vacuum cleaner of claim 14,

the third supply mechanism unit includes an atomizing device for atomizing the electrolytic water and supplying the atomized electrolytic water to the air around the main body.

Images