CN115530695A - System for cleaning surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a system for cleaning a surface, the system comprising a surface cleaning machine adapted for manual operation and a base station capable of docking with the surface cleaning machine, the surface cleaning machine being provided with a suction opening facing the surface to be cleaned, a first dirty liquid recovery tank and a first vacuum motor, a first vacuum path being established from the suction opening to the first dirty liquid recovery tank and then to the first vacuum motor on the surface cleaning machine; the surface cleaning machine is characterized in that a dirty liquid output interface is arranged on the surface cleaning machine, the dirty liquid output interface is operatively communicated with the internal fluid of the first dirty liquid recovery container, and a dirty liquid input interface, a second dirty liquid recovery container and a second vacuum motor are arranged on the base station; wherein when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the dirty liquid output interface and the dirty liquid input interface engage one another to establish a second vacuum path from the suction opening, sequentially through the first dirty liquid recovery tank and the second dirty liquid recovery tank, to the second vacuum motor.

Description

System for cleaning a surface

Technical Field

The present application relates to systems for surface cleaning, and more particularly to systems comprising a manually operated wet surface cleaning machine and a base station capable of interfacing with the surface cleaning machine.

Background

The wet surface cleaning machine mainly comprises a brush roller, a fluid supply system and a dirty liquid recovery unit. When the machine works, the fluid supply system supplies cleaning liquid to the brush roller, the brush roller performs cleaning work on the surface to be cleaned by using the cleaning liquid, and the dirty liquid recovery unit recovers and stores dirty liquid on the surface to be cleaned to a dirty liquid recovery container of the dirty liquid recovery unit. Because the brush roll, the dirty liquid recovery container box and the pipeline between the brush roll and the dirty liquid recovery container box are contacted with the dirty liquid during working, stains are inevitably left in the places when the machine finishes working; in order to prevent stains from developing odor and mold in these areas, the wet surface cleaning machine needs to clean these parts itself after the work is completed.

The existing wet surface cleaning machine is a self-cleaning machine which is parked on a self-cleaning tray to complete self-cleaning work, such as the scheme disclosed in the chinese patent with publication number CN 114795010A; in the scheme, the handheld cleaning equipment is parked on a cleaning base station to automatically carry out self-cleaning operation, and after the self-cleaning operation is finished, an operator needs to return to the cleaning base station to pour dirty liquid in the dirty collecting box manually; and to the less machine of dirty box effective volume of collection, operating personnel often need return and empty foul solution many times, or have to guard on around clean basic station to after the automatically cleaning work is accomplished, often be stained with on the inner wall of dirty box and adhere to the dirt that has can't just get rid of through empting the foul solution, in order to avoid these dirt to stay for a long time at dirty box of collection and deteriorate, operating personnel has to carry out the secondary cleaning to dirty box of collection, this will make the convenience in utilization of machine discount greatly.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to solve the problems existing in the prior art, the purpose of the application is to provide a system for cleaning the surface, which can effectively reduce the manual operation of dumping the dirty liquid in the self-cleaning process.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the present application provides the following technical solutions: a system for cleaning a surface, the system comprising a surface cleaning machine adapted for manual operation and a base station capable of interfacing with the surface cleaning machine, the surface cleaning machine having a suction opening facing a surface to be cleaned, a first dirty liquid recovery tank and a first vacuum motor, the surface cleaning machine having a first vacuum path established from the suction opening to the first dirty liquid recovery tank and to the first vacuum motor; the surface cleaning machine is characterized in that a dirty liquid output interface is arranged on the surface cleaning machine, the dirty liquid output interface is operatively communicated with the internal fluid of the first dirty liquid recovery container, and a dirty liquid input interface, a second dirty liquid recovery container and a second vacuum motor are arranged on the base station; wherein when said surface cleaning machine is docked with said base station, said dirty liquid outlet port and said dirty liquid inlet port engage one another to establish a second vacuum path from said suction opening, sequentially through said first dirty liquid recovery tank and said second dirty liquid recovery tank, to said second vacuum motor.

In one possible embodiment, the surface cleaning machine is provided with a brush roller which is arranged at the suction opening and is driven to rotate by a brush roller motor; the base station is provided with a concave part; the brush roll and the suction opening are located in the recess when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station.

In addition to the above structure, the surface cleaning machine may be further provided with a first fluid supply container for storing the cleaning liquid and a fluid dispenser for outputting the cleaning liquid to the brush roller, and the surface cleaning machine may be provided with a first fluid supply path established from the first fluid supply container to the fluid dispenser.

In another possible implementation, the surface cleaning machine is provided with a third fluid input port, the third fluid input port is in fluid communication with the fluid dispenser, and the base station is provided with a second fluid supply container capable of storing cleaning liquid and a third fluid output port; when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the third fluid output interface and the third fluid input interface engage one another to establish a fourth fluid supply path from the second fluid supply container to the fluid dispenser.

In one possible implementation, the surface cleaning machine is provided with a first pump, the first pump being located in the first fluid supply path, and the third fluid inlet port being located upstream of the first pump.

In addition to the above structure, the surface cleaning machine may further include a first fluid input port, the first fluid input port is in fluid communication with the interior of the first dirty liquid recovery container, and the base station includes a first fluid output port and a second pump; when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the first fluid output interface and the first fluid input interface engage to establish a second fluid supply path from the second fluid supply container to the second pump and then to the interior of the first dirty liquid recovery container.

In addition to the above structure, the surface cleaning machine may further include a second fluid input port, the second fluid input port being in fluid communication with an interior of the first fluid supply container, and the base station may include a second fluid output port and a third pump; when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the second fluid output interface and the second fluid input interface engage to establish a third fluid supply path from the second fluid supply container to a third pump and to the interior of the first fluid supply container.

In one possible implementation manner, a control system and a first signal transmission interface are arranged on the surface cleaning machine, and a second signal transmission interface is arranged on the base station; when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the first signal transmission interface and the second signal transmission interface are in signal connection to establish a signal transmission relationship between the surface cleaning machine and the base station.

In a possible implementation manner, the base station is provided with an electric plug which can be electrically connected with an electric socket for providing household alternating current, and the second vacuum motor is an alternating current motor and is provided with electric energy by the household alternating current passing through the electric plug.

In addition to the above structure, the surface cleaning machine is further provided with a rechargeable battery pack and a first charging interface, and the first vacuum motor is a direct current motor and is powered by the battery pack; the base station is provided with a second charging interface; the first charging interface is electrically coupled to the second charging interface when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station.

In one possible implementation mode, the surface cleaning machine is provided with a flow regulating mechanism for regulating the flow of the fluid flowing through the dirty liquid output pipeline; when the first vacuum motor is started to work, the flow regulating mechanism closes the dirty liquid output pipeline.

In one possible implementation, the surface cleaning machine comprises a cleaning base and an upright body with a lower portion rotatably mounted on the cleaning base, a handle portion is provided on the upper portion of the upright body, the first dirty liquid recovery tank, the first vacuum motor and the dirty liquid outlet port are arranged on the upright body, and the suction port is arranged at the bottom of the cleaning base.

Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application lie in, in the system of this disclosure, when placing surface cleaning machine on the basic station, the basic station can take over to provide most power for surface cleaning machine's automatically cleaning operation procedure to after the operation of automatically cleaning operation procedure, foul solution also is shifted to basic station department, has avoided operating personnel to carry out the clear operation of secondary to the foul solution recovery vessel on the machine, thereby has improved user's use and has experienced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an overall structure of a system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a surface cleaning machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a cleaning base according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the cleaning base of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of an upright fuselage provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a fluid delivery system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a first fluid supply path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a dirty liquid recovery system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a first vacuum path provided by an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the connection of various components of a surface cleaning machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a base station provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic connection relationship between components in a base station according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a second vacuum path established by engagement of a dirty liquid outlet port on a surface cleaning machine and a dirty liquid inlet port on a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second fluid supply path established after the first fluid output interface and the first fluid input interface are engaged with each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a third fluid supply path established when the second fluid output port and the second fluid input port are engaged with each other according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth fluid supply path established by the engagement of the third fluid output port and the third fluid input port provided by the embodiments of the present application;

fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of a signal transmission relationship established after the first signal transmission interface and the second signal transmission interface are joined together according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 18 is a schematic view illustrating current transmission established after the first and second charging interfaces are engaged with each other according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating steps performed by the system of the present application when performing a self-cleaning operation;

wherein: 100. a surface cleaning machine; 500. a base station;

1. cleaning the base; 2. a vertical machine body; 11. a base body; 12. an upper cover; 13. a roll cavity; 14. a brush roll; 15. a brush roll motor; 111. a front portion; 112. a rear portion; 113. a first side portion; 114. a second side portion; 16. a moving wheel; 131. a suction port;

17. a first wiper strip; 18. a second wiper strip; 19. a fluid dispenser; 110. a third scraping bar;

21. a body portion; 22. a handle portion; 221. a handle; 222. an operation panel; 223. a rod body; 211. an upright housing; 212. a lower connection end; 23. a first display; 24. a battery pack; 25. a first fluid supply container;

30. a first fluid supply path; 31. a fluid channel; 32. a first pump;

26. a first foul solution recovery vessel; 27. a first vacuum motor; 261. a recovery chamber; 262. a liquid level detection mechanism; 40. a first vacuum path; 41. a recovery channel;

28. a first controller; 281. a power switch key; 282. a self-cleaning start key;

2112. a dirty liquid output interface; 2113. a first fluid input interface; 2114. a second fluid input interface; 2115. a third fluid input interface; 2116. a first charging interface; 2117. a first signal transmission interface;

291. a dirty liquid output pipeline; 292. a flow rate adjusting mechanism; 294. a first fluid input conduit; 295. a first valve;

296. a second fluid input conduit; 297. a second valve;

298. a third fluid input conduit; 299. a second valve; 293. a charging management circuit;

500. a base station; 5. a body; 51. a tray section; 52. a body portion; 53. a recess; 6. an electric plug;

71. a second contaminated liquid recovery vessel; 72. a second vacuum motor; 73. a dirty liquid input interface; 74. a dirty liquid input pipeline;

81. a second fluid supply container; 82. a first fluid output interface; 83. a second fluid output interface; 84. a third fluid output interface; 85. a first fluid output channel; 86. a second fluid output channel; 87. a third fluid output channel; 88. a second pump; 89. a third pump; 810. and a fourth valve.

91. A second charging interface; 92. a power supply circuit;

501. a second controller; 502. a second signal transmission interface; 503. a second display.

Detailed Description

In order to explain the technical content, the structural features, the achieved objects and the effects of the present application in detail, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

FIG. 1 illustrates an overall schematic of various functional systems of a system including a surface cleaning machine 100 and a base station 500 provided herein. The surface cleaning machine 100 is capable of wiping a floor surface with a cleaning fluid, such as water, and the like, and recycling the cleaning fluid that has become a dirty liquid. The functional systems of the surface cleaning machine 100 may be arranged in any product type that can be handled by an operator, such as an upright surface cleaning apparatus having a cleaning base and an upright body. The base station 500 is generally designed to be supported on a surface and to be electrically connectable to an electrical outlet that provides household alternating current.

As shown in fig. 2, the surface cleaning machine 100 includes a cleaning base 1 capable of moving along a cleaning surface and an upright body 2 having a lower portion rotatably coupled to a rear portion of the cleaning base 1. The surface cleaning machine 100 also establishes a fluid delivery system between the cleaning base 1 and the upright body 2 capable of delivering cleaning fluid at the cleaning base 1 and a dirty fluid recovery system for recovering dirty fluid from the surface to be cleaned.

The directions herein are referenced from a perspective of an operator standing on the rear side of the surface cleaning machine 100 and pushing the surface cleaning machine 100 forward.

The cleaning base 1 shown in fig. 3 to 4 includes a base body 11 forming a main skeleton portion of the cleaning base 1, an upper cover 12, a roller chamber 13 located at a front portion of the cleaning base 1, a brush roller 14 disposed in the roller chamber 13, and a brush roller motor 15 driving the brush roller 14 to rotate. The base 11 has a front portion 111, a rear portion 112, and a first side portion 113 and a second side portion 114 disposed opposite to each other. A pair of moving wheels 16 is also rotatably connected to the rear portion 112 of the housing 11, the moving wheels 16 being used to effect movement of the cleaning base 1 over a surface to be cleaned. The upper cover 12 is detachably coupled to the front portion 111 of the housing 11. The front portion 111, the first side portion 113, the second side portion 114 and the cover 12 together define a roller chamber 13, the lower portion of the roller chamber 13 having a suction opening 131 facing the surface to be cleaned. The surface of the brush roller 14 is covered with fiber bristles made of a material wettable by liquid, and the lower portion of the brush roller 14 protrudes from the suction port 131 so that the fiber bristles can contact the surface to be cleaned.

A first scraping bar 17 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the seat body 11, the first scraping bar 17 defines the rear edge of the suction port 131, and the first scraping bar 17 is configured to be inclined downward and forward such that the front end thereof contacts the ground; the first wiper strip 17 is typically a flexible wiper strip. The front part 111 of the seat body 11 is also provided with a second scraping strip 18 and a fluid distributor 19; the second wiper strip 18 is located upstream of the fluid distributor 19 with respect to the direction of rotation of the brush roller 14; a second wiper strip 18 extends into the roller chamber 13 and contacts the brush roller 14, the second wiper strip 18 being intended to wipe off dirt carried by the brush roller 14 during rotation of the brush roller 14, the second wiper strip 18 typically being a rigid wiper strip. Fluid distributor 19 has a plurality of openings that may extend in a direction parallel to the axis of brushroll 14, and fluid distributor 19 is capable of delivering cleaning liquid to brushroll 14. A third scraping strip 110 is also arranged on the inner wall surface of the upper cover 12; the third wiper strip 110 is located downstream of the fluid distributor 19 with respect to the direction of rotation of the brush roller 14; the third wiper strip 110 also extends into the roller chamber 13 and contacts the brush roller 14, and the main function of the third wiper strip 19 is to wipe the cleaning liquid from the brush roller 14, which is delivered by the fluid distributor 19, and to prevent excess liquid delivered by the fluid distributor 19, which is not absorbed by the brush roller 14, from flowing or splashing directly from the gap between the upper cover 12 and the upper part of the brush roller 14 onto the surface to be cleaned.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the upright body 2 includes a body portion 21 extending in the longitudinal direction and a handle portion 22 fixedly connected to the body portion 21 and located on the upper side of the body portion 21. The handle portion 22 includes a handle 221 to be held by a user, an operation panel 222 provided on the handle 221, and a lever 223 supporting the handle 221. The lever body 223 is fixedly connected at both ends thereof to the handle 221 and the body 21, respectively, and the form of the operation panel 222 is not limited to a push button, a slide button, a trigger, and the like.

The body portion 21 includes an upright case 211 and a lower connection end 212 at a lower end of the upright case 211. The upright housing 211 constitutes an outer skeleton of the body portion 21 and can accommodate several components. The lower coupling end 212 is rotatably hinged to the rear of the cleaning base 1 so that the upright body 2 can rotate relative to the cleaning base 1. A first display 23 (see fig. 2) is disposed on an upper portion of the upright housing 21, the first display 23 being configured to display a current operating status and operational parameters of the surface cleaning machine 100; such as the residual capacity condition of a battery, the working state of the brush roller and the like; the first display 23 may also be disposed at other locations of the upright housing 211.

Also mounted within the upright housing 21 is a rechargeable battery pack 24, the battery pack 24 being capable of providing electrical power to various power consuming components of the surface cleaning machine 100.

Referring to fig. 6, the fluid delivery system is mainly composed of a first fluid supply container 25 for storing and supplying the cleaning liquid to the outside of the brush roller 14, a fluid distributor 19, a fluid passage 31 in fluid communication with the first fluid supply container 25 and the fluid distributor 19, and a first pump 32 provided in the fluid passage and supplying a flow power to the cleaning liquid.

The first pump 32 may be disposed either on the housing 11 of the cleaning base 1 or within the upright housing 211 of the upright housing 2.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 2 and 5, the first fluid supply container 25 is removably attached to the upright housing 211 to facilitate manual addition of cleaning liquid thereto by an operator. The cleaning liquid is not limited to clear water, disinfectant water added with a disinfectant, and a detergent solution added with a detergent.

As shown in FIG. 7, a first fluid supply path 30 is established on the surface cleaning machine 100 from the first fluid supply tank 25, to the first pump 32, and to the fluid dispenser 19. By means of this first fluid supply path 30, cleaning liquid can be constantly supplied to the brush roller 14 when the surface cleaning machine 100 is in operation.

The fluid delivery system is also provided with the necessary level sensing mechanism (not shown) which can determine in real time whether the first fluid supply vessel 25 is depleted or full of cleaning liquid.

Referring to fig. 8, the dirty liquid recovery system is mainly composed of a first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 for receiving and storing dirty liquid, a recovery passage 41 for achieving fluid communication between the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 and the suction port 131, and a first vacuum motor 27 for providing negative pressure.

As shown in fig. 2 and 5, the first vacuum motor 27 is in fluid communication with the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26. The first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 has a recovery chamber 261 therein and is configured to be detachably attached to the upright housing 211 for easy removal for manual cleaning by an operator.

Referring to fig. 5 and 8, a liquid level detection mechanism 262 is disposed in the first dirty liquid recovery container 26, and is capable of determining whether the dirty liquid in the recovery chamber 261 reaches a preset liquid level in real time. The level sensing mechanism 262 may be a level probe configuration or other type of level sensing.

The first vacuum motor 27 may be any suitable motor capable of generating a vacuum negative pressure. The first vacuum motor 27 is a dc motor and is powered by the battery pack 24. The first vacuum motor 27 may be designed to be manually turned on or off by a switch disposed on the operation panel 222.

Referring to fig. 9, a first vacuum path 40 is established on the surface cleaning machine 100 from the suction opening 131 to the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 and then to the first vacuum motor 27. By means of the first vacuum path 40, debris on the surface to be cleaned and cleaning liquid that has been used and has become dirty liquid can be timely recovered and stored in the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 while the surface cleaning machine 100 is performing a surface cleaning operation at the surface to be cleaned.

Referring to fig. 10, the surface cleaning machine 100 further includes a first controller 28 (see fig. 5) in operative signal communication with various controlled components on the machine, such as the first pump 32 in the fluid delivery system, the first vacuum motor 27 in the dirty liquid recovery system, the brushroll motor 15, various switch buttons on the operating panel 222, and the like. The controller 28 of the surface cleaning machine 100 is also connected to. The first display 23 is signally connected to control the display of corresponding information on the first display 23. The first controller 28 is internally programmed to control operation of the respective controlled component in accordance with a surface cleaning mode of operation and to control operation of the respective controlled component in accordance with a self-cleaning mode of operation. In this example, the operation panel 222 includes a power switch key 281 and a self-cleaning start key 282; the user can operate the power switch key 281 to trigger the first controller 28 to control the operation of the corresponding controlled component in the surface cleaning operation mode. After the surface cleaning machine 100 is docked with the base station 500, a user may operate the self-cleaning initiation key 282 to trigger the first controller 28 to control the operation of the corresponding controlled component in the self-cleaning mode of operation; in the self-cleaning operation mode, the first controller 28 needs to send a control command to the second controller 501, which causes the second vacuum motor 71 and the like to start operating as needed.

Surface cleaning machine 100 is provided with a dirty liquid outlet port 2112, a first fluid inlet port 2113, a second fluid inlet port 2114, a third fluid inlet port 2115, a first charging port 2116, and a first signal transmission port 2117. These interfaces are preferably arranged on the rear wall surface of the upright housing 211 with the mouth facing downwards.

The dirty liquid outlet port 2112 is operably in fluid communication with the recovery chamber 261 inside the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 via a dirty liquid outlet conduit 291. The method specifically comprises the following steps: a dirty liquid outlet pipe 291 extends between the lower portion of the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 and the dirty liquid outlet port 2112. The dirty liquid outlet pipe 291 is configured to allow dirty liquid inside the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 to be directly discharged to the outside of the machine via the pipe. The dirty liquid outlet pipe 291 is provided with a flow rate adjustment mechanism 292, the flow rate adjustment mechanism 292 is capable of adjusting the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the dirty liquid outlet pipe 291, and the adjustment range of the flow rate adjustment mechanism 292 is from 0 (i.e., the pipe is closed) to the maximum flow rate. The flow adjustment mechanism 292 will cause the dirty liquid outlet line 291 to have at least a first mode of operation where the passage is open and a second mode of operation where the passage is closed.

The first fluid input interface 2113 is in operable fluid communication with the recovery chamber 261 inside the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 via a first fluid input conduit 294. The method comprises the following specific steps: a first fluid input conduit 294 extends between an upper portion of the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 and the first fluid input port 2113. The first fluid input conduit 294 is configured to allow cleaning liquid input from the first fluid input interface 2113 to pass directly into the recovery chamber 261 inside the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26 via the conduit to enable flushing of the recovery chamber 261 directly with cleaning liquid. A first valve 295 is provided in the first fluid feed line 294, and the first valve 295 can open and block the first fluid feed line 294. In this example, the first valve 295 is preferably a mechanical valve.

The second fluid input interface 2114 is operably in fluid communication with the first fluid supply vessel 25 via a second fluid input conduit 296. The method comprises the following specific steps: a second fluid input conduit 296 extends between the first fluid supply vessel 25 and the second fluid input interface 2114. Second fluid input conduit 296 is configured to allow cleaning liquid input from second fluid input interface 2114 to pass directly into first fluid supply vessel 25 via the conduit to effect replenishment of cleaning liquid in first fluid supply vessel 25. A second valve 297 is provided on the second fluid inlet 296, which second valve 297 is capable of opening and blocking the second fluid inlet 296. In this example, the second valve 297 is preferably a mechanical valve.

The third fluid input interface 2115 is operably in fluid communication with the fluid channel 31 via a third fluid input conduit 298. The method specifically comprises the following steps: the third fluid input conduit 298 extends between the fluid passage 31 and the second fluid input interface 2114, and the intersection of the third fluid input conduit 298 with the fluid passage 31 is upstream of the first pump 32. Third fluid input conduit 298 is configured to allow cleaning liquid input from third fluid input interface 2115 to be input into fluid channel 31 via the conduit to effect a supply of cleaning liquid directly to fluid distributor 19 bypassing first fluid supply reservoir 25. A third valve 299 is arranged on the third fluid supply line 298, which third valve 299 is able to open and block the third fluid supply line 298. In this example, the third valve 299 is preferably a mechanical valve. In some embodiments, the third fluid input ports 2115 and third fluid input conduit 298 may also be eliminated, which may facilitate reducing the number of ports.

The first charging interface 2116 is electrically connected to the battery pack 24, and a charging management circuit 293 is further provided therebetween. Under the action of the charging management circuit 293, the electric energy input from the first charging interface 2116 can be delivered to the battery pack 24 under the condition that a preset condition is met, so as to charge the battery pack 24. The charge management circuit 293 is in signal connection with and controlled by the first controller 28.

Fig. 11 shows an exemplary base station 500 comprising a body 5 that can be supported on a flat surface, an electrical plug 6 that can be electrically connected to household ac power. The body 5 includes a tray portion 51 at the front and a body portion 52 at the rear, the tray portion 51 being capable of supporting the cleaning base 1 of the surface cleaning machine 100. The front of the tray part 51 has a recess 53.

When the surface cleaning machine 100 is docked with the base station 500, the cleaning chassis 1 will be supported at the tray portion 51 at the front of the body 5, with the brush roller 14 and suction opening 131 at the recess 53; the upright body 2 will abut against the front side of the body portion 52.

The base station 500 is also provided with a dirty liquid suction system, a cleaning fluid supply system, and a power supply system. And a dirty liquid suction system for sucking and storing dirty liquid received in the surface cleaning machine 100 docked with the base station 500 and dirty liquid generated during the execution of the self-cleaning operation mode. A cleaning fluid supply system for delivering cleaning liquid to the surface cleaning machine 100 that interfaces with the base station 500. A power supply system for providing power to the surface cleaning machine 100 interfaced with the base station 500 and enabling charging of the surface cleaning machine 100.

As shown in fig. 12, the dirty liquid suction system includes a second dirty liquid recovery container 71, a second vacuum motor 72, a dirty liquid input port 73, and a dirty liquid input pipe 74 connecting the dirty liquid input port 73 and the second dirty liquid recovery container 71. The volume of the second contaminated liquid recovery container 71 is much larger than the volume of the first contaminated liquid recovery container 25, for example, 10 times the volume of the first contaminated liquid recovery container 25. The second dirty liquid recovery tank 71 is disposed at one side portion of the body portion 52, and the second vacuum motor 72 is located at a middle position of the rear portion of the body 5. The second vacuum motor 72 may be an ac motor and powered by household ac power introduced by the electrical plug 6.

The cleaning fluid supply system includes a second fluid supply container 81, a first fluid output port 82, a second fluid output port 83 and a third fluid output port 84 capable of outputting the cleaning fluid body to the outside, a first fluid output channel 85 fluidly connecting the second fluid supply container 81 and the first fluid output port 82, a second fluid output channel 86 fluidly connecting the second fluid supply container 81 and the second fluid output port 83, a third fluid output channel 87 fluidly connecting the second fluid supply container 81 and the third fluid output port 84, a second pump 88 disposed on the first fluid output channel 85, a third pump 89 disposed on the second fluid output channel 86 and a fourth valve 810 disposed on the third fluid output channel 87. The fourth valve 810 is capable of opening and intercepting the third fluid output channel 87. In this example, the fourth valve 810 is preferably a controllable electronic valve.

The cleaning fluid supply system is also provided with a necessary liquid level detection mechanism (not shown) which can determine whether the cleaning liquid in the second fluid supply container 81 is exhausted or full in real time.

The second fluid supply container 81 is disposed at the other side of the body portion 52. The first fluid output port 82, the second fluid output port 83 and the third fluid output port 84 are preferably arranged at the body portion 52.

The power supply system includes a second charging interface 91 and a power supply circuit 92. The second charging interface 91 is located at a level higher than the level of the dirty liquid input interface 73, the first fluid output interface 82, the second fluid output interface 83 and the third fluid output interface 84, and the second charging interface 91 should be far away from the input and output interfaces to prevent the liquid flowing through the input and output interfaces from splashing to the second charging interface 91.

The base station 500 is further provided with a second controller 501, and the second controller 501 can control each controlled component on the base station 500 and can timely feed back the status of each component on the base station 500, such as the second fluid supply container 81 is short of liquid, the second dirty liquid recovery container 71 is full, the second vacuum motor 72 is abnormal, and the like. For this purpose, the base station 500 is further provided with a second display 503, and the second display 503 is preferably disposed at a position convenient for the operator to observe, such as the top position of the body portion 52. In this embodiment, the second controller 501 is in signal connection with the second vacuum motor 72, the second pump 88, the third pump 89, the second display 503, the fourth valve 810, and the power supply circuit 92.

The base station 500 is further provided with a second signal transmission interface 502, and the second signal transmission interface 502 is in signal connection with the second controller 501. After the surface cleaning machine 100 is docked with the base station 500, the second signal transmission interface 502 will be in signal connection with the first signal transmission interface 2117 on the surface cleaning machine 100 to establish a signal communication relationship between the surface cleaning machine 100 and the base station 500, thereby facilitating information interaction between the second controller 501 and the first controller 28.

In this embodiment, the waste liquid input interface 73, the first fluid output interface 82, the second fluid output interface 83 and the third fluid output interface 84 are preferably located at the lower portion of the body portion 52, and the second charging interface 91 and the second signal transmission interface 502 are also located at the body portion 52 and are located at a position higher than the waste liquid input interface 73, the first fluid output interface 82, the second fluid output interface 83 and the third fluid output interface 84.

Several sensing components (not shown) are also provided on the surface cleaning machine 100 and the base station 500. These sensing components are capable of detecting at least whether the components on the surface cleaning machine 100 and the base station 500 are properly installed, whether each respective interface is properly engaged after the surface cleaning machine 100 and the base station 500 are docked, and whether each monitored component on the surface cleaning machine 100 and the base station 500 is in a normal operating condition.

A heating device capable of heating the cleaning fluid flowing out of the second fluid supply container 81 may be further provided at the base station 500 so that the heated thermal fluid can be supplied to the surface cleaning machine 100; a blowing or drying device may be further disposed at the base station 500 to further remove water remaining in the brush roller and other components.

The surface cleaning machine 100 may perform surface cleaning work solely on the surface to be cleaned under the control of an operator. The surface cleaning machine 100 is performing surface cleaning work, the battery pack 24 supplies power to the whole machine, the first controller 28 controls the first vacuum motor 27, the first pump 32 and the brush roll motor 15 to start up work as required, the cleaning fluid in the first fluid supply container 25 in the fluid delivery system is continuously delivered to the brush roll 14 via the first fluid supply path 20, the brush roll 14 wetted by the cleaning fluid is continuously rotated and wiped on the surface to be cleaned, and the first vacuum motor 27 in the dirty liquid recovery system recovers the used cleaning fluid changed into dirty liquid and stores the cleaning fluid in the first dirty liquid recovery container 26 after passing through the first vacuum path 30; during surface cleaning operations performed by the surface cleaning machine 100, i.e., during which the first vacuum motor 27 is energized, the flow adjustment mechanism 292 will remain in the second mode of operation with the dirty liquid outlet conduit 291 in a closed passage.

After the surface cleaning machine 100 has finished performing the surface cleaning operation, the machine may dock to the base station 500 and dock with the base station 500; after the docking is completed, the surface cleaning machine 100 may be self-cleaned, charged, replenished with cleaning liquid, and the like.

When the surface cleaning machine 100 is docked with the base station 500, the various interfaces on the surface cleaning machine 100 will dock with the various interfaces on the base station 500 as follows:

as shown in fig. 13, the dirty liquid outlet port 2112 of the surface cleaning machine 100 and the dirty liquid inlet port 73 of the base station 500 engage one another to establish a second vacuum path 50 from the suction opening 131, sequentially through the recovery channel 41, the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26, the dirty liquid outlet port 2112, the dirty liquid inlet port 73, the dirty liquid inlet conduit 74 and the second dirty liquid recovery tank 71, to the second vacuum motor 72. The flow rate adjusting mechanism 292 disposed in the dirty liquid outlet pipe 291 can adjust the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the dirty liquid outlet pipe 291 from 0 to the maximum value after the dirty liquid outlet port 2112 and the dirty liquid inlet port 73 are connected to each other.

As shown in fig. 14, the first fluid outlet port 82 of the base station 500 and the first fluid inlet port 2113 of the surface cleaning machine 100 engage one another to establish a second fluid supply path 60 from the second fluid supply tank 81 on the base station 500 to the second pump 88 of the first fluid outlet channel 85, to the first fluid outlet port 82, to the first fluid inlet port 2113 of the surface cleaning machine 100, to the first fluid inlet conduit 294, and to the interior of the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26. Wherein a first valve 295 located in the first fluid input conduit 294 is triggered to open when the first fluid output interface 82 and the first fluid input interface 2113 are engaged with each other.

As shown in FIG. 15, the second fluid output port 83 of the base station 500 and the second fluid input port 2114 of the surface cleaning machine 100 engage one another to establish a third fluid supply path 70 from the second fluid supply reservoir 81 on the base station 500 to the third pump 89 in the second fluid output channel 86, to the second fluid output port 83, to the second fluid input port 2114, to the second fluid input conduit 296, and to the interior of the first fluid supply reservoir 25 of the surface cleaning machine 100. Wherein a second valve 297 located in the second fluid input line 296 is triggered to open when the second fluid output interface 83 and the second fluid input interface 2114 are engaged with each other.

As shown in FIG. 16, the third fluid output port 84 of the base station 500 and the third fluid input port 2115 of the surface cleaning machine 100 engage one another to establish a fourth fluid supply path 80 from the second fluid supply reservoir 81 on the base station 500 to the third fluid output channel 87, to the third fluid output port 84, to the third fluid input port 2115, to the third fluid input conduit 298, to the fluid channel 31, through the first pump 32, and finally to the fluid distributor 19 of the surface cleaning machine 100. Wherein the third valve 298 in the third fluid input conduit 298 is triggered to open when the second fluid output interface 83 and the second fluid input interface 2114 are engaged with each other and the fourth valve 810 in the third fluid output channel 87 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the surface cleaning machine 100 is docked with the base station 500, the first signal transfer interface 2117 and the second signal transfer interface 502 are in signal communication, and a signal transfer relationship is established between the surface cleaning machine 100 and the base station 500, the signal transfer relationship between them being bi-directional, based on which the first controller 28 on the surface cleaning machine 100 and the second controller 501 on the base station 500 can send commands or information to each other.

As shown in FIG. 18, when surface cleaning machine 100 is docked with base station 500, first charging interface 2116 and second charging interface 91 are electrically connected such that power from base station 500 can be transmitted to surface cleaning machine 100 to charge battery pack 24 of surface cleaning machine 100 under the management of power supply circuit 92 and charge management circuit 293.

When the surface cleaning machine 100 is docked with the base station 500, if the program for the surface cleaning machine 100 is started, the first controller 28 will control the corresponding controlled components to operate according to the self-cleaning operation mode, so as to clean the brush roller 14, the roller chamber 13 and the corresponding fluid pipeline of the surface cleaning machine 100, and simultaneously transfer the dirty liquid in the first dirty liquid recovery container 26 to the second dirty liquid recovery container 71 and clean the first dirty liquid recovery container 26 after transferring the dirty liquid. During the self-cleaning mode of operation, the second controller 501 on the base station 500 will also receive instructions from the first controller 28 to activate the second vacuum motor 72, etc. corresponding components.

With reference to fig. 19, the steps for performing a self-cleaning mode of operation are exemplarily enumerated as follows:

s1, the self-cleaning start key 282 is activated, and the self-cleaning operation program is started.

S2, the second vacuum motor 72 on the base station 500 is started to work firstly; the flow regulating mechanism 292 acts simultaneously to make the dirty liquid output pipeline 291 in the first working mode with unblocked passage; the dirty liquid in the first dirty liquid recovery container 26 is transferred to the second dirty liquid recovery container 71 by the second vacuum path 50, which lasts for several seconds.

S3, starting the brush roll motor 15 and the first pump 32 on the surface cleaning machine 100, keeping the second vacuum motor 72 on the base station 500 in a working state, continuously conveying the cleaning liquid in the second fluid supply container 81 to the brush roll 14 through the fourth fluid supply path 80, and cleaning the brush roll 14; at the same time, the cleaning liquid changed into dirty liquid together with air is sucked into the second vacuum path 50 by the second vacuum motor 72, and passes through the suction port 131 and the first dirty liquid recovery container 26 and the second dirty liquid recovery container 71 in sequence through the second vacuum path 50, the dirty liquid is trapped in the second dirty liquid recovery container 72, and the air enters the second vacuum motor 72 and is discharged to the outside; this step allows cleaning of the brush roll 14, the roll chamber 13 and the recovery channel 41 between the brush roll 14 and the first dirty liquid recovery tank 26; this step may be repeated multiple times.

S4, turning off the brush roll motor 15 and the second vacuum motor 72, starting the second pump 88 on the base station 500 to start working, and enabling the cleaning liquid in the second fluid supply container 81 to flow into the first dirty liquid recovery container 26 through the second fluid supply path 60 so as to flush the inner wall of the first dirty liquid recovery container 26; this step may be repeated multiple times

S5, starting the second vacuum motor 72 to transfer the dirty liquid in the first dirty liquid recovery container 26 to the second dirty liquid recovery container 71; this step may be performed a plurality of times in cooperation with step S4.

The steps S4 and S5 may be performed simultaneously, that is, the cleaning fluid used for rinsing may be transferred from the first contaminated fluid collection container 26 to the second contaminated fluid collection container 71 while the inner wall of the first contaminated fluid collection container 26 is rinsed with the cleaning fluid.

After the self-cleaning step is completed, the third pump 89 of the base station 500 may be activated to supply the cleaning liquid from the second fluid supply tank 81 through the third fluid supply path 70 to the first fluid supply tank 25 of the surface cleaning machine 100 for the next surface cleaning operation of the machine 100.

During self-cleaning, if the second dirty-liquid recovery tank 71 is full or the second fluid supply tank 81 is empty, the machine 100 or the base station 500 prompts the operator to empty the second dirty-liquid recovery tank 71 and replenish the second fluid supply tank 81 with cleaning fluid to continue the self-cleaning operation.

Charging the battery pack 24 of the surface cleaning machine 100 may be performed simultaneously during the self-cleaning process or after the self-cleaning operation sequence is completed; this may be set in the charge management circuit 293.

The above-mentioned embodiments are only for illustrating the technical idea and features of the present application, and the purpose of the present application is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present application and implement the present application, and not to limit the protection scope of the present application. All equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present application should be covered within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims (13)

1. A system for cleaning a surface, the system comprising a surface cleaning machine adapted for manual operation and a base station capable of interfacing with the surface cleaning machine, the surface cleaning machine having a suction opening facing a surface to be cleaned, a first dirty liquid recovery tank and a first vacuum motor, the surface cleaning machine having a first vacuum path established from the suction opening to the first dirty liquid recovery tank and to the first vacuum motor; the surface cleaning machine is characterized in that a dirty liquid output interface is arranged on the surface cleaning machine, the dirty liquid output interface is operatively communicated with the internal fluid of the first dirty liquid recovery container, and a dirty liquid input interface, a second dirty liquid recovery container and a second vacuum motor are arranged on the base station; wherein when said surface cleaning machine is docked with said base station, said dirty liquid outlet port and said dirty liquid inlet port engage to establish a second vacuum path from said suction opening, sequentially through said first dirty liquid recovery tank and said second dirty liquid recovery tank, to said second vacuum motor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said surface cleaning machine is provided with a brushroll disposed at said suction opening, said brushroll being rotated by a brushroll motor; the base station is provided with a concave part; the brush roll and the suction opening are located in the recess when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the surface cleaning machine is provided with a first fluid supply reservoir for storing cleaning liquid and a fluid dispenser for delivering cleaning liquid to the brushroll, the surface cleaning machine establishing a first fluid supply path from the first fluid supply reservoir to the fluid dispenser.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the surface cleaning machine is provided with a third fluid input port, the third fluid input port being in fluid communication with the fluid dispenser, the base station being provided with a second fluid supply reservoir capable of storing cleaning liquid and a third fluid output port; when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the third fluid output port and the third fluid input port engage one another to establish a fourth fluid supply path from the second fluid supply vessel to the fluid dispenser.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the surface cleaning machine is provided with a first pump, the first pump being located in the first fluid supply path and the third fluid inlet port being located upstream of the first pump.

6. A system according to claim 3 wherein the surface cleaning machine is provided with a first fluid inlet port, the first fluid inlet port being in fluid communication with the interior of the first dirty liquid recovery tank, the base station being provided with a first fluid outlet port and a second pump; when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the first fluid output interface and the first fluid input interface engage to establish a second fluid supply path from the second fluid supply container to the second pump and then to the interior of the first dirty liquid recovery container.

7. A system according to claim 3, wherein the surface cleaning machine is provided with a second fluid inlet port, the second fluid inlet port being in fluid communication with the interior of the first fluid supply container, the base station being provided with a second fluid outlet port and a third pump; when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station, the second fluid output interface and the second fluid input interface engage to establish a third fluid supply path from the second fluid supply container to the third pump and to the interior of the first fluid supply container.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface cleaning machine has a first controller and a first signal transmission interface, and the base station has a second controller and a second signal transmission interface; the first signal transmission interface and the second signal transmission interface are in signal communication to establish a signal transmission relationship between the first controller and the second controller when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said base station is provided with an electrical plug electrically connectable to an electrical outlet for providing household ac power, said second vacuum motor being an ac motor and being powered by household ac power passing through said electrical plug.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the surface cleaning machine is provided with a rechargeable battery pack and a first charging interface, the first vacuum motor being a dc motor and being powered by the battery pack; the base station is provided with a second charging interface; the first charging interface is electrically coupled to the second charging interface when the surface cleaning machine is docked with the base station.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein a dirty liquid outlet conduit is provided on the surface cleaning machine, the dirty liquid outlet conduit extending between a lower portion of the first dirty liquid recovery tank and the dirty liquid outlet port.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the surface cleaning machine is provided with a flow regulating mechanism for regulating the flow of fluid through the dirty liquid outlet conduit; when the first vacuum motor is started to work, the flow regulating mechanism closes the dirty liquid output pipeline.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein said surface cleaning machine comprises a cleaning base and an upright body having a lower portion rotatably mounted on said cleaning base, said upright body having a handle portion at an upper portion thereof, said first dirty liquid recovery tank, said first vacuum motor and said dirty liquid outlet port being arranged in said upright body, said suction opening being arranged in a bottom portion of said cleaning base.

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