CN213309460U - Electric vacuum cleaner and dust-cleaning member - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides an electric dust collector which can efficiently wet and clean dust collection parts by liquid and uniformly clean and collect dust on a dust collection surface. An electric vacuum cleaner (1) is provided with a tank (16) capable of storing liquid, a wiping and dust-collecting member mounting part (45) capable of attaching and detaching a wiping and dust-collecting member (43), and a first supply part (18) for supplying liquid from the tank (16) to the wiping and dust-collecting member (43), wherein the first supply part (18) is provided with at least one wetting supply port (71) for supplying liquid to the wiping and dust-collecting member (43) at the front edge part (45a) of the wiping and dust-collecting member mounting part (45).

Description

Electric vacuum cleaner and dust-cleaning member

Technical Field

The utility model discloses an embodiment relates to electric vacuum cleaner and clean dust absorption part.

Background

The following cleaning robot is known: cleaning liquid is applied to the cleaning surface from the spray nozzle, and wiping or polishing dust is performed on the cleaning surface using the held pad so as to contact the cleaning surface.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

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

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In wiping dust collection or polishing dust collection using a cleaning liquid, a member for wiping a surface to be cleaned of a dust collection site is wetted with the cleaning liquid and becomes wet. Hereinafter, a member for wiping the surface to be cleaned in the dust-collecting place will be referred to as "wiping dust-collecting member".

However, if the cleaning liquid is supplied only to the dust wiping member, there are excessively wet portions and portions with insufficient moisture. In other words, the wiping part will generate moisture deviation. Thus, the wiping effect is not uniform.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an electric vacuum cleaner and a dust wiping/collecting member that can efficiently wet a dust wiping/collecting member with liquid and uniformly wipe and collect dust on a surface to be cleaned.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reservoir capable of holding a liquid; a wiping dust suction component mounting part which can be assembled and disassembled; and a supply unit configured to supply the liquid from the tank to the wiping and dust-collecting member, wherein the supply unit includes at least one supply port configured to supply the liquid to the wiping and dust-collecting member at a front edge portion of the wiping and dust-collecting member mounting portion.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the at least one supply port includes a first supply port for supplying the liquid to the wiping/dust collecting member at a central portion in a width direction of the wiping/dust collecting member mounting portion.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the at least one supply port includes a plurality of second supply ports for supplying the liquid to the wiping member, at a position rearward of the front edge portion of the wiping member attachment portion and at respective left and right side portions of the wiping member attachment portion.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the at least one supply port includes a plurality of third supply ports for supplying the liquid to the wiping member, at a front edge portion of the wiping member and at respective left and right side portions of the wiping member attachment portion.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the cleaning/suction member mounting portion has a first water guide portion for guiding the liquid from the supply position of the at least one supply port to the width direction of the cleaning/suction member mounting portion.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the wiping/suction member mounting portion includes a second water guide portion for radially diffusing the liquid from the supply position of the at least one supply port.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the wiping and dust-collecting member includes fibers including: the fibers are oriented to spread the liquid from the supply position of the at least one supply port in the width direction of the wiping and suction member.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the wiping and dust-collecting member includes fibers having higher water absorption than polyester.

The electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention preferably includes: an identifier which records identification information and is provided on the wiping and dust-collecting member; and an identification unit configured to read the identification information from the identifier and identify whether the wiping and dust collecting member is authentic or counterfeit.

The liquid of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention is preferably electrolyzed water.

In the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the supply port for spraying the liquid is located on the front side of the supply port and the liquid is sprayed to the surface to be cleaned.

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a dust wiping and collecting member for wiping and collecting dust on a surface to be cleaned by attaching the dust wiping and collecting member to an electric vacuum cleaner, the dust wiping and collecting member including: the fibers are oriented and woven so as to spread the liquid in the width direction of the electric vacuum cleaner from the supply position of the liquid supplied from the electric vacuum cleaner.

In addition, the dust wiping and collecting member according to the embodiment of the present invention preferably includes fibers having higher water absorbency than polyester.

In addition, the dust wiping and collecting member according to the embodiment of the present invention preferably includes an identifier for recording the identification information.

Utility model's effect: according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electric vacuum cleaner and a dust collecting and wiping member capable of efficiently wetting and wiping a dust collecting member with a liquid and uniformly wiping and sucking a dust to a surface to be cleaned.

Drawings

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

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

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

Fig. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the first supply unit and the wiping and dust collecting unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping/dust collecting unit of a second example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping/dust collecting unit of a second example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping/dust collecting unit in a third example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping/dust collecting unit of a third example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping/dust collecting unit in a fourth example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a schematic bottom view of a first supply unit and a wiping/dust collecting unit in a fourth example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a schematic bottom view of a dust collection member mounting portion and a wiping dust collection portion of a first example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a dust suction member mounting portion and a wiping portion of a dust suction portion of a first example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a schematic bottom view of a dust suction member mounting portion and a wiping dust suction portion of a second example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of the reference numerals

1 … electric vacuum cleaner, 5 … main body, 6 … secondary battery, 7 … station, 8 … power cord, 9 … charging circuit, 11 … moving part, 12 … dust suction part, 13 … detecting part, 15 … control part, 16 … storage tank, 17 … electrolytic water generating device, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D … first supply part, 19 … second supply part, 21 … main body housing, 22 … buffer, 26 … driving wheel, 27 … motor, 28 … driven wheel, 31 … suction dust suction part, 32 … wiping dust suction part, 34 … suction inlet, 35 … rotary brush, 36 … brush motor, 37 … dust container, 38 … electric blower, 39 … suction air path, 39u … upstream side air path, 39D … downstream side, 41 … exhaust air path, 43 … wiping dust suction part, 45A, 45B … wiping dust suction part mounting part, … front edge part, 48345A, 48345B, … B, 51 … camera part, 51A … imaging element, 51B … optical system, 52 … approach detection part, 53 … contact detection part, 55 … distance measurement device, 55a … light emitting part, 55B … light receiving part, 57 … power supply part, 61 … electrode, 62 … piping, 65 … first supply mechanism part, 66 … second supply mechanism part, 67 … third supply mechanism part, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D … supply port for wetting, 72 … first on-off valve, 73 … supply port for spreading, 74 … second on-off valve, 67 … third supply mechanism part, 75 … first atomizing device, 76 … first water guide path, 77 … second atomizing device, 78 … second water guide path, 79 … water-retaining body, 80 … moisture absorption part, 82a … first supply port, 82B … second water guide port, 82C, … third water guide port, … water suction port, 3685 first dust suction port …, … wiping action part, 3686 second water suction port … and … action part, 101 … communication part, 101a … transmission part, 101b … receiving part, 102 … identifier, 103 … identification part, 111 … autonomous movement control part, 112 … detection control part, 113 … map information storage part, 115 … movement control part, 116 … suction and dust collection control part, 117 … detection result storage part, 118 … water level gauge, 121 … reading device, and 122 … determination part.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of the electric vacuum cleaner of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 14. In the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

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

As shown in fig. 1, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called autonomous electric vacuum cleaner or a cleaning robot. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 autonomously moves by consuming electric power of the secondary battery 6 mounted on the main body 5. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 travels on a surface f to be cleaned, i.e., a so-called floor surface, of a region a to be cleaned, which is a cleaning place in a living room. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves back and forth on the surface f to be cleaned of the area a to be cleaned and cleans the surface f. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves in a line in the dust collection area a to collect dust. When the vacuum cleaner 1 finishes cleaning the surface f to be cleaned, it autonomously returns to the station 7 to wait for the next cleaning operation. The autonomous return station 7 of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is also called homing.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 may be a non-autonomous type that can be connected to and stored in the station 7, such as a horizontal type, a vertical type, a stick type, or a hand-held type.

The station 7 can be provided on the surface f of the area a to be cleaned. The station 7 enables the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to be smoothly connected and to be smoothly disconnected. The station 7 has a function of a so-called charging stand. The station 7 includes a power supply line 8 for supplying electric power from a commercial ac power supply, and a charging circuit 9 for converting an ac voltage supplied via the power supply line 8 into a dc voltage and charging the secondary battery 6.

Returning to the station 7 charges the secondary battery 6 while the electric vacuum cleaner 1 waits for the next vacuum operation, for example. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can eliminate the trouble of charging by the user and can cope with an abrupt dust collection operation in response to the user's request.

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

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

In addition, a solid arrow F in fig. 2 and 3 shows a forward direction of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.

As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the 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 suctioning 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 electric vacuum cleaner 1, and a secondary battery 6 for supplying electric power to each unit of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, as shown in fig. 1.

Further, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes: a storage tank 16 provided in the main body 5 and storing liquid such as water; an electrolyzed water generation device 17 for electrolyzing the water stored in the tank 16 to generate electrolyzed water; a first supply unit 18 for supplying the liquid accumulated in the tank 16 to the outside of the main body 5; and a second supply unit 19 for supplying the liquid stored in the tank 16 into the main body 5.

The main body 5 includes, for example, a main body case 21 made of 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 suppress the turning radius at the time of turning to be smaller than other shapes in plan view. The main body 5 may have a square shape in plan view, or may have a fixed-width pattern in which the diameter is always constant, for example, a shape such as 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 tank 16 is preferably housed inside a locus described by an outline of the main body case 21 when the main body 5 is caused to spiral (counter-rotation) in place.

The height of the main body housing 21 is substantially the same as the height of the sump 16. The height of main body case 21 may be different from the height of sump 16. 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 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 driving wheels 26, a plurality of motors 27 for driving the driving wheels 26 independently, and a driven wheel 28 for supporting the main body 5 on the surface f to be cleaned together with the driving wheels 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 disposed substantially on the same line. The electric vacuum cleaner 1 can go straight and turn by the pair of driving 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 electric vacuum cleaner 1 may have an endless track instead of the driving wheel 26.

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

The driven wheel 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 wheels 28 are, for example, caster wheels. The driven pulley 28 changes its orientation following the forward, backward, and turning of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and stabilizes the movement of the electric vacuum cleaner 1. Further, the center of gravity of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 supported by the driving wheel 26 and the driven wheel 28 is preferably disposed inside a triangle formed by the pair of driving wheel 26 and driven wheel 28. This enables the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to move stably.

The dust suction unit 12 sucks dust on the surface f to be cleaned directly below and around the main body 5. The dust suction unit 12 includes a suction dust suction unit 31 that generates negative pressure to suck dust on the dust suction surface f, and a wiping dust suction unit 32 that wipes or polishes the dust suction surface f 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 as a dust collecting part 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 can easily suck 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 electric vacuum cleaner 1. When the 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 rotary brush 35 is a rotation direction for assisting the propulsive force of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 when moving forward. The reverse direction of the rotating brush 35 is a rotating direction that assists the propulsive force of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 when it is retreated.

The dust container 37 is a part of the suction air passage 39. 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 filter for filtering and trapping dust, or a separator for separating and accumulating dust by inertia separation such as centrifugal separation, so-called cyclone separation, straight-ahead separation, or the like. The straight separation is a separation method for separating dust from air by the difference between the inertia forces of the air and the dust moving straight. 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.

In the forward direction (solid arrow F in fig. 2) of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the suction port 34 and the wiping member 43 are arranged in front of each other, and the suction port 34 is disposed on the front side of the wiping member 43. That is, the wiping member 43 is disposed behind the suction port 34. Therefore, when the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward, the suction port 34 moves prior to 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 below the main body 5, for example. The wiping and cleaning portion 32 includes a wiping and cleaning member mounting portion 45 to which the wiping and cleaning member 43 is detachably attached, and the wiping and cleaning member 43.

The wiping/dust collecting member attachment portion 45 is a base on which the sheet-like wiping/dust collecting member 43 is wound, and the sheet-like wiping/dust collecting member 43 is fixed by attaching the sheet-like wiping/dust collecting member 43 by means of hook and loop fasteners by inserting a part of the wiping/dust collecting member 43 into the insertion opening. The wiping/cleaning member attachment portion 45 brings the wiping/cleaning member 43 into contact with the surface f to be cleaned with the electric vacuum cleaner 1 placed on the surface f to be cleaned. The wiping member attachment portion 45 itself may be detachable from the electric 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 hygroscopic dust-cleaning tools such as a wiping sheet, a dust cloth, a wiper, and a mop. The mop referred to herein is a fiber mass at the front end of the handle except for the portion of the handle. 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 suction member 43 integrally having a member made of a highly water-absorbent polymer can hold a larger amount of electrolyzed water.

The dust wiping member 43 is detachable from the bottom surface of the dust wiping member mounting portion 45. When the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is placed on the surface f to be cleaned in a movable state, the wiping and cleaning portion 32 is brought into contact with 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/suction member 43 is also an embodiment of the first supply unit 18 for supplying the electrolyzed water 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 apparatus 17.

Further, in the case where the electrolyzed water 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/dust collecting member 43 can be used for so-called wet wiping in which the surface f to be cleaned is wetted with the electrolyzed water and the electrolyzed water is applied thereto, or for so-called dry wiping in which the electrolyzed water scattered on the surface f to be cleaned is wiped off. In other words, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 removes bacteria from the surface f to be cleaned by spreading or applying the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid on the surface f to be cleaned with the movement.

The wiping and dust-collecting means 43 performs wiping and dust-collecting operation which is either dry wiping or wet wiping depending on the amount of electrolyzed water sprayed from the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 17 onto the surface f to be cleaned and the amount of electrolyzed water supplied from the electrolyzed water generating apparatus 17 to the wiping and dust-collecting means 43. For example, if the amount of electrolytic water to be sprayed on the floor surface is small, the electrolytic water evaporates before the wiping/suction member 43 becomes wet. In this case, dry wiping based on wiping the dust suction member 43 is continuously performed. 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 dry wiping performed by wiping the dust suction member 43 is finally shifted from the dry wiping to the wet 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, for capturing an image of the periphery of the 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 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 electric vacuum cleaner 1, i.e., a detection object.

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

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 may be provided with a distance measuring device 55 for obtaining depth information in the imaging range by a principle different from that of the 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 damper 22 that mitigates the impact on the body 5 when the moving body 5 contacts the object to be detected. When the buffer 22 comes into contact with the object to be detected, it is displaced or moved so as to be pushed toward the inside of the main body 5. The contact detection unit 53 detects the displacement or movement 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 or off by displacement or movement of the bumper 22, or an infrared sensor or an ultrasonic sensor that contactlessly measures the amount of displacement or movement of the bumper 22.

The secondary battery 6 stores electric power consumed by each unit of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 including the moving unit 11, the dust suction unit 12, the detection unit 13, the control unit 15, and the power supply unit 57 of the electrolyzed water generation apparatus 17. The secondary battery 6 supplies electric power to each unit of the 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 tank 16 is a container for storing an aqueous solution such as water or brine. The water stored in the sump 16 is tap water. The sump 16 is preferably detachable from the main body 5 to improve convenience of water supply. The storage tank 16 is provided with an openable and closable lid. The sump 16 can be easily supplied with water and brine by opening the cover.

The electrolyzed water production apparatus 17 electrolyzes water to produce electrolyzed water in which ozone is dissolved, or electrolyzes brine to produce electrolyzed water in which Hypochlorous Acid (HClO) is dissolved, for example. In japan, tap water that is readily available at home contains chlorine according to the regulations of the tap water law. In the tap water 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 17, No. 3) based on the rule imposed by the tap water law in article 22 of the tap water law (ministry of health and labor). The electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 can easily form electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing water containing chlorine such as japanese tap water or an aqueous solution in which chloride is dissolved. Chlorides are preferred, for example, salts which are readily available in the general household. In other words, it is preferable that the aqueous solution in which the chloride is dissolved is brine. The electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 includes a plurality of electrodes 61 including a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and a power supply unit 57 that supplies dc power to the plurality of electrodes 61 with power supplied from the secondary battery 6.

A material that is hardly soluble in water, such as titanium or platinum, is used for the electrodes 61 of the electrolytic water generator 17. The electrode 61 may support a platinum group metal such as iridium, platinum, or ruthenium, or an oxide thereof, in order to promote electrolysis. Electrolyzing the water to generate chemical substances such as hydrogen peroxide, active oxygen, OH free radicals and the like. An electrode 61 is disposed within the reservoir 16. The electrode 61 applies a direct current supplied from the power supply unit 57 to the water.

The power supply unit 57 appropriately adjusts the voltage of the dc power supplied from the secondary battery 6 and applies the adjusted voltage to the electrode 61.

The electrolytic water generator 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 apparatus 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 electrolytic water generator 17 generates acidic ionized water in a chamber housing the positive electrode and generates basic ionized water in a chamber housing the negative electrode.

In addition, the multi-chamber electrolytic water generator 17 may not use the acidic ionized water and the alkaline ionized water in the same amount, and may place a burden on the treatment of any remaining ionized water. The 1-chamber electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 does not cause a burden of treating the remaining ionized water unlike the multi-chamber type, and may be more convenient for the user than the multi-chamber type.

However, the inventors found that the concentration of hypochlorous acid diffused or diffused to the surface f to be cleaned by the supply of one tenth microliter per square centimeter or more was 5ppm (parts-per-million, 10)^-6) The electrolyzed water can sterilize the dust-cleaned surface f. Therefore, the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 has a capability of forming electrolyzed water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5ppm or more by electrolyzing water having a chlorine concentration of one tenth 1ppm or more, in other words, water conforming to tap water in the tap water method of japan. In addition, when electrolytic tap water is difficult to produce electrolytic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 5ppm or more even when the tap water is electrolyzed because the tap water has a low chlorine concentration, a chloride, for example, a salt may be dissolved in the tap water.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 may not include the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17. That is, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 may store the generated electrolyzed water in the tank 16 and use the electrolyzed water for sterilization of the dust-cleaned area a.

The first 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 first 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 first supply unit 18 includes a pipe 62 for guiding the electrolyzed water from the tank 16, a first supply mechanism 65 for supplying the electrolyzed water from the tank 16 to the wiping and dust collecting member 43, and a second supply mechanism 66 for supplying the electrolyzed water from the tank 16 to the surface f to be cleaned.

The first supply mechanism 65 directly supplies the electrolyzed water to the dust-wiping and cleaning member 43 to wet the dust-wiping and cleaning member 43, while the second supply mechanism 66 can spray the electrolyzed water to the dust-cleaned surface f and indirectly supply the electrolyzed water to the dust-wiping and cleaning member 43 via the dust-cleaned surface f to wet the dust-wiping and cleaning member 43.

The first supply mechanism 65 includes a supply port 71 for wetting for supplying the electrolytic water to the back surface of the wiping and dust collecting member 43, and a first on-off valve 72 provided in the middle of the pipe 62 for shutting off the supply and supply of the electrolytic water to the supply port 71 for wetting.

The wetting supply port 71 may be plural. For example, the wetting supply ports 71 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 5, in other words, in the width direction of the wiping and suctioning member 43. The supply port 71 for wetting arranged in this manner can wet a wide range of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolytic water. The wetting supply port 71 may be an elongated and 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 65 opens the first on-off valve 72 to supply the electrolyzed water by utilizing a difference in level between the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 and the wetting supply port 71, in other words, a difference in level. The first supply mechanism 65 may include a pump for pumping up the electrolytic water in the tank 16 instead of the first on-off valve 72. The first supply mechanism 65 may be a flow path for discharging only the electrolytic water in the tank 16, such as a narrow tube or an orifice. In this case, the inner diameter of the narrow tube or the orifice diameter is appropriately and favorably set so as to obtain a required supply amount of electrolytic water (supply amount per unit time).

The second supply mechanism 66 includes a supply port 73 for spraying the electrolyzed water onto the surface f to be cleaned, and a second on-off valve 74 provided in the middle of the pipe 62 to shut off the supply and supply of the electrolyzed water to the supply port 73.

The supply port 73 for distribution is, for example, a nozzle capable of distributing 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 first supply unit 18 supplies the electrolyzed water from the supply port 73 for spraying located on the front side of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 and the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 in the traveling direction of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to the surface f to be cleaned sandwiched between the suction port 34 and the wiping and dust collecting member 43.

The number of the distribution supply ports 73 may be plural. For example, the supply ports 73 for spraying are arranged in a row in the width direction of the main body 5, in other words, in the width direction of the wiping and suctioning member 43. The thus arranged supply ports 73 for distribution distribute the electrolytic water over a wider range as the main body 5 advances. The supply port 73 for distribution may be an elongated and 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 66 opens the second on-off valve 74 to supply the electrolyzed water by utilizing a difference in level between the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 and the supply port 73 for distribution, in other words, a difference in level. The second supply mechanism 66 may be provided with a pump for pumping up the electrolytic water in the tank 16 instead of the second on-off valve 74. The second supply mechanism 66 may be a flow path for flowing out only the electrolytic water in the tank 16, such as a narrow tube or an orifice. In this case, the inner diameter or the orifice 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 first supply unit 18 includes a third supply mechanism 67 that supplies the electrolyzed water from the tank 16 to the environment around the main body 5. The third supply mechanism 67 includes: a first atomizing device 75 for atomizing the electrolytic water and supplying the atomized electrolytic water to the environment around the body 5, and a first water guide passage 76 for guiding the electrolytic water to the first atomizing device 75.

The first atomizer 75 is located at the top of the sump 16. The first atomization means 75 diffuses or spreads the atomized electrolyzed water from the top of the storage tank 16 toward the environment around the main body 5.

The first atomizing device 75 uses various atomizing methods such as a heating type in which the electrolytic water is heated and atomized, an ultrasonic type in which the electrolytic water is atomized by ultrasonic vibration, a method in which the electrolytic water is atomized by spraying using a venturi effect, for example, an electrostatic atomization in which the electrolytic water is atomized by corona discharge, and a water pulverization type in which the electrolytic water is dispersed by a propeller rotating at a high speed to pulverize water molecules. In either way, the first atomizing device 75 atomizes the electrolyzed water into a mist containing fine particles having a diameter of 100 μm or less, and more preferably, into a mist containing fine particles having a diameter of 10 μm or less.

The first water guide path 76 is a string or a rope for sucking up the electrolyzed water in the storage tank 16 by capillary action, for example.

The second supply unit 19 supplies the electrolyzed water stored in the tank 16 to the intake air passage 39. The second supply unit 19 may supply the electrolyzed water stored in the tank 16 to the dust container 37 or to the downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38, to the upstream air passage 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37. In other words, second feeder 19 supplies the electrolytic water stored in tank 16 to at least one of upstream air passage 39u connecting suction port 34 and dust container 37, the inside of dust container 37, and downstream air passage 39d connecting dust container 37 and electric blower 38.

The second feeder 19 vaporizes the electrolytic water and supplies the electrolytic water to at least one of an upstream air passage 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, the inside of the dust container 37, and a downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38. Therefore, the second supply unit 19 includes: a second atomizing device 77 for atomizing the electrolytic water and supplying the atomized electrolytic water to at least one of the upstream air passage 39u, the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38; and a second water guide path 78 that guides the electrolyzed water from the storage tank 16 to the second atomization device 77.

The second atomizing device 77 may be exposed in the upstream air passage 39u itself or a space continuous with the upstream air passage 39u, may be exposed in the dust container 37 itself or a space continuous with the dust container 37, or may be exposed in the downstream air passage 39d itself or a space continuous with the downstream air passage 39 d. The second atomizing device 77 diffuses or scatters the atomized electrolytic water to at least one of the upstream air passage 39u, the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39 d.

Here, "the space connected to the upstream air passage 39 u", "the space connected to the dust container 37", and "the space connected to the downstream air passage 39 d" include a portion in which the suction negative pressure generated by the electric blower 38 acts and the flow of air is sufficiently generated, and include a portion in which the suction negative pressure generated by the electric blower 38 acts and the flow of air due to the suction negative pressure is insufficiently generated and the flow is stagnant.

The second atomizing device 77 is used in various atomizing methods such as a heating type for heating and atomizing the electrolytic water, an ultrasonic type for ultrasonically vibrating and atomizing the electrolytic water, a method for atomizing the electrolytic water by spraying using a venturi effect, for example, electrostatic atomization for atomizing the electrolytic water by corona discharge, and a water pulverization type for pulverizing water molecules by diffusing the electrolytic water by a propeller or the like rotating at a high speed. In either mode, the second atomizing device 77 atomizes the electrolytic water to contain fine particles having a diameter of 100 μm or less, and more preferably atomizes the electrolytic water to contain fine particles having a diameter of 10 μm or less.

The second water channel 78 may be, for example, a pipe connecting the tank 16 and the second atomizing device 77, or may be a rope or a rope that draws up the electrolyzed water in the tank 16 by, for example, capillary action and guides the electrolyzed water to the second atomizing device 77.

In addition to the second atomizing device 77, the second supply unit 19 may include a water retaining member 79 for vaporizing the electrolyzed water in at least one of the upstream air passage 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, the inside of the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38, instead of or in addition to the second atomizing device 77.

The water holding body 79 is connected to the sump 16 via the same or a different water conducting path as the second atomizing device 77. The water holding body 79 absorbs the electrolyzed water supplied through the water guiding path, with moisture due to the electrolyzed water. A portion of water holding body 79 is in contact with the electrolyzed water via the water conducting path connecting sump 16 with water holding body 79. A portion of the water holding body 79 may be in direct contact with the electrolyzed water in the storage tank 16 without passing through the water guiding path. The other part of the water retainer 79 may be exposed in the upstream air passage 39u itself or the space connected to the upstream air passage 39u, the dust container 37 itself or the space connected to the dust container 37, or the downstream air passage 39d itself or the space connected to the downstream air passage 39 d.

The water retention body 79 retains the electrolyzed water by its water absorbability. In addition, the water holding body 79 sucks up the electrolyzed water of the water guiding path connecting the storage tank 16 and the water holding body 79 by its water absorption property. That is, in the electric vacuum cleaner 1, the member having water absorption property is brought into contact with the electrolytic water, and thereby the electrolytic water is supplied to at least one of the upstream air passage 39u connecting the suction port 34 and the dust container 37, the inside of the dust container 37, and the downstream air passage 39d connecting the dust container 37 and the electric blower 38. Even if the supply location of the electrolyzed water (the upstream air passage 39u, the dust container 37, or the downstream air passage 39d) is located higher than the tank 16, the water retaining body 79 can suck up the liquid by capillary action and move it. By changing the degree and size of the water absorption of the water retention body 79, the suction force and height can be adjusted, and the over-supply can be avoided. The water retaining member 79 may be disposed below the sump 16. In this case, the electrolyzed water is easily supplied to the water retaining body 79 by the difference in water level.

The water-retaining body 79 is, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The water-retaining body 79 is made of 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. Water retention body 79 may also be a sponge. The water retaining member 79 may be integrally formed with a member made of a highly water-absorbent polymer. The water retaining member 79 integrally having a member made of a highly water-absorbent polymer can further retain the electrolytic water to be treated.

The electrolytic water is vaporized until the vapor pressure of the gas in the suction air duct 39 reaches the saturated vapor pressure. The vaporized electrolyzed water passes through the intake air passage 39 and reaches the dust container 37, and the dust accumulated in the dust container 37 is sterilized.

The water retaining body 79 can supply the electrolytic water to the dust container 37 by vaporizing the electrolytic water by the flow of air in the upstream air passage 39u and the dust container 37. The electrolytic water vaporized by the flow of air sterilizes the dust accumulated in the dust container 37. Part of the electrolyzed water passes through the dust container 37 by the suction negative pressure and reaches the electric blower 38 to sterilize the exhaust gas of the electric blower 38. The water retaining body 79 vaporizes the electrolytic water by the flow of air in the downstream air passage 39d, passes through the dust container 37, and reaches the electric blower 38 to sterilize the exhaust gas of the electric blower 38. In addition, water retaining body 79 can supply electrolytic water to dust container 37 by vaporizing electrolytic water in upstream air passage 39u, the interior of dust container 37, and downstream air passage 39d in a state where electric blower 38 is stopped. The vaporized electrolyzed water is diffused in the intake air passage 39, and the dust accumulated in the dust container 37 is sterilized.

When second feeder 19 is provided in downstream air passage 39d, the exhaust gas from electric blower 38 can be sterilized by vaporizing the electrolytic water while electric blower 38 is driven. In other words, when the second supply unit 19 is provided in the downstream air passage 39d, the dust accumulated in the dust container 37 can be removed while the total amount of the electrolyzed water after evaporation is used and the electric blower 38 is stopped in order to remove the dust from the exhaust air blown out from the electric vacuum cleaner 1 while the electric blower 38 is being driven.

On the other hand, when the second supplier 19 is provided in the upstream air passage 39u or the dust container 37, the second supplier 19 can supply the electrolytic water to the dust container 37 by vaporizing the electrolytic water by the flow of the air in the intake air passage 39. The electrolytic water vaporized by the flow of air in the intake air duct 39 sterilizes the dust accumulated in the dust container 37. Further, a part of the electrolytic water having reached the dust container 37 passes through the dust container 37 by the suction negative pressure, and reaches the electric blower 38 to sterilize the exhaust gas of the electric blower 8.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 includes a moisture absorbing portion 80 that is provided in the suction air duct 39 and absorbs the electrolyzed water (moisture) sucked into the suction air duct 39 by the suction negative pressure. When the electrolytic water is sucked into suction air duct 39, moisture absorption unit 80 absorbs the electrolytic water before it reaches electric blower 38, thereby preventing the electrolytic water from reaching electric blower 38. The moisture absorbing part 80 is, for example, a woven fabric or a nonwoven fabric. The material of the moisture absorbing portion 80 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 absorbent member 80 may be a sponge. The moisture absorbing section 80 may integrally include a member made of a highly water-absorbent polymer. The moisture absorption portion 80 integrally having a high water-absorbent polymer member can further hold a large amount of electrolytic water.

The moisture absorber 80 may be provided in the upstream air passage 39u or the downstream air passage 39d of the intake air passage 39. The moisture absorbing section 80 may be provided in the dust container 37. The moisture absorbing unit 80 may be provided on the downstream side of the second atomizing device 77 and the water retaining body 79 with respect to the flow of air. That is, in suction air duct 39, moisture absorber 80 is closer to electric blower 38 than second atomizing device 77 and water retaining body 79. The moisture absorbing portion 80 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 first supply unit 18 will be described in detail. In the first supply unit 18A of the first example, the first supply unit 18B of the second example, the first supply unit 18C of the third example, and the first supply unit 18D of the fourth example described in each example, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. Hereinafter, the first supply portion 18A of the first example will be simply referred to as "first supply portion 18A". The first supply portion 18B of the second example will be simply referred to as "first supply portion 18B" hereinafter. The first supply portion 18C of the third example will be simply referred to as "first supply portion 18C" hereinafter. The first supply portion 18D of the fourth example will be simply referred to as "first supply portion 18D" hereinafter.

Fig. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the first supply unit and the wiping and dust collecting unit of the electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 4, the first supply portion 18A of the first example of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes at least one wetting supply port 71A. The wetting supply port 71A has a first supply port 82a for supplying the electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. In addition, a solid arrow F in fig. 4 is a forward direction of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and is a forward direction of the wiping and cleaning member attachment portion 45 and the wiping and cleaning member 43.

The first supply port 82a supplies the electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at the center portion in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. The central portion in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45 preferably coincides with the central portion of the main body 5.

In the electric vacuum cleaner 1, instead of the supply port 71A for wetting, electrolyzed water may be supplied from the supply port 73 for spraying of the second supply mechanism 66 to the surface f to be cleaned on the front side of the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 to wet the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45.

The amount of the electrolyzed water supplied from the first supply portion 18A per unit time is preferably adjusted to be sufficient to wet the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 and to prevent a large amount of electrolyzed water such as water droplets or puddles from remaining on the surface f to be cleaned after the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 passes.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 in the forward movement brings the wiping dust suction member 43 into contact with the surface f to be cleaned. In the wiping and dust collecting member 43, a portion which reliably contacts the surface f to be cleaned is a portion sandwiched between the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45 and the surface f to be cleaned. The portion of the wiping member 43 sandwiched between the wiping member mounting portion 45 and the surface f to be cleaned is referred to as a wiping action portion 85. The maximum range of the wiping and dust collecting action part 85 is the projection shape of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting part 45 on the surface f to be cleaned, and the wiping and dust collecting action part 85 may be smaller than the projection shape of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting part 45.

Therefore, the electrolyzed water supplied to the wiping member 43 at the leading edge 45a of the wiping member mounting portion 45 immediately wets the leading edge of the wiping action portion 85. The moisture on the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The electrolyzed water supplied to the wiping member 43 at the center in the width direction of the wiping member mounting portion 45 immediately wets the center of the front edge of the wiping action portion 85. The moisture in the central portion of the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

At this time, the part of the wiping and suction member 43 which is not wet wipes off the excessive electrolyzed water from the surface f to be cleaned.

In this way, the first supply portion 18A of the first example can immediately wet the front edge portion or the front edge center portion of the wiping and dust collection action portion 85, and can efficiently wet the wiping and dust collection member 43 with the electrolytic water to uniformly wipe and collect dust on the surface f to be cleaned.

Fig. 5 and 6 are schematic bottom views of a first supply unit and a wiping and dust collecting unit of a second example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 5 and 6, the first supply portion 18B of the second example of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of wetting supply ports 71B. The plurality of wetting supply ports 71B include, in addition to the first supply port 82a as in the wetting supply port 71A of the first example, a plurality of second supply ports 82B for supplying electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 in the side portions 45B located rearward of the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 and on the left and right of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45.

The plurality of wetting supply ports 71B are arranged in a U-letter shape that opens toward the rear of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in fig. 5, or in a V-letter shape that opens toward the rear of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in fig. 6. The array of the wetting supply ports 71B includes a first supply port 82a and a second supply port 82B. The plurality of second supply ports 82b are arranged substantially bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the first supply port 82a as a vertex toward the rear of the electric vacuum cleaner 1. That is, the second supply port 82b disposed at a position farther from the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 is closer to the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45.

In other words, the plurality of wetting supply ports 71B supply the electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at a position rearward of the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 and apart from the center line C that bisects the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 in the width direction toward the left and right edge portions of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45.

The amount of the electrolyzed water supplied from the first supply portion 18B per unit time is preferably adjusted to be sufficient to wet the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 and to prevent a large amount of electrolyzed water such as water droplets or puddles from remaining on the surface f to be cleaned after the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 passes.

The electrolyzed water supplied from the first supply port 82a to the dust-wiping member 43 at the center of the leading edge 45a of the dust-wiping member mounting portion 45 immediately wets the center of the leading edge of the dust-wiping action portion 85. The moisture in the central portion of the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The electrolyzed water supplied from the second supply port 82b immediately wets a wide area of the side portion of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 at the side portions 45b on the left and right sides of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 at the rear of the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. The moisture on the side of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In this way, the first supply portion 18B of the second example can immediately wet the central portion and the side portions of the leading edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 over a wide range, and can efficiently wet the wiping and dust collecting member with the electrolytic water to uniformly wipe and collect dust on the surface f to be cleaned.

The intervals between the first supply port 82a and the second supply ports 82b are preferably set so that the wetting ranges of the electrolyzed water supplied from the supply ports 82a and 82b to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 are not interrupted but connected. The wetting range of the electrolyzed water varies depending on the material and the knitting method of the wiping and dust-collecting member 43, and is appropriately set in accordance with the characteristics of the wiping and dust-collecting member 43.

Fig. 7 and 8 are schematic bottom views of a first supply unit and a wiping and dust collecting unit of a third example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the first supply portion 18C of the third example of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of wetting supply ports 71C. The plurality of wetting supply ports 71C include, in addition to the second supply ports 82B as in the wetting supply port 71B of the second example, a plurality of third supply ports 82C for supplying electrolytic water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 and at the left and right side portions 45B of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45.

The plurality of wetting supply ports 71C are arranged in a U-letter shape that opens toward the front of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in fig. 7, or in a V-letter shape that opens toward the front of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 as shown in fig. 8. The array of the wetting supply ports 71C includes a plurality of third supply ports 82C and a plurality of second supply ports 82 b. The second supply ports 82b are arranged substantially bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the rear of the vacuum cleaner 1, with the pair of left and right third supply ports 82c as end points. That is, the second supply port 82b disposed at a position farther from the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 is closer to the center line C that divides the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 into two parts in the width direction. The second supply ports 82b may be disposed behind the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 and at the center in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45.

The amount of the electrolyzed water supplied from the first supply portion 18C per unit time is preferably adjusted to be sufficient to wet the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 and to prevent a large amount of electrolyzed water such as water droplets or puddles from remaining on the surface f to be cleaned after the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 passes.

At the end of the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45, the electrolyzed water supplied from the third supply port 82c to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 immediately wets the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85. The moisture on the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The electrolyzed water supplied from the second supply port 82b immediately wets a wide area of the side portion of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 at the side portions 45b on the left and right sides of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 at the rear of the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. The moisture on the side of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In this way, the first supply portion 18C of the third embodiment can immediately wet a wide range of the leading edge and the side portion of the dust wiping and collecting action portion 85, and can efficiently wet the dust wiping and collecting member with the electrolytic water to uniformly wipe and collect dust on the dust collection surface f.

The third supply port 82c and the plurality of second supply ports 82b are preferably spaced so that the wetting ranges of the electrolyzed water supplied from the supply ports 82c and 82b to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 are not interrupted but are continuous. The wetting range of the electrolyzed water varies depending on the material and the knitting method of the wiping and dust-collecting member 43, and is appropriately set depending on the characteristics of the wiping and dust-collecting member 43.

Fig. 9 and 10 are schematic bottom views of a first supply unit and a wiping and dust collecting unit of a fourth example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 9 and 10, the first supply portion 18D of the fourth example of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of wetting supply ports 71D. The plurality of wetting supply ports 71D include a first supply port 82a like the wetting supply port 71A of the first example, a second supply port 82B like the wetting supply port 71B of the second example, and a third supply port 82C like the wetting supply port 71C of the third example.

The plurality of wetting supply ports 71D are arranged in two U letter shapes that are open toward the front of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and are continuous as shown in fig. 9, or in two V letter shapes that are open toward the front of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and are continuous as shown in fig. 10. The array of the wetting supply ports 71D includes a first supply port 82a and a second supply port 82b for supplying the electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at the leading edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45, as in the first supply portion 18A of the first example. The plurality of second supply ports 82b are arranged substantially bilaterally symmetrically with respect to the first supply port 82a as a vertex toward the rear of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.

The amount of the electrolyzed water supplied from the first supply portion 18D per unit time is preferably adjusted to be sufficient to wet the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 and to prevent a large amount of electrolyzed water such as water droplets or puddles from remaining on the surface f to be cleaned after the wiping and dust-collecting member 43 passes.

In the center of the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45, the electrolyzed water supplied from the first supply port 82a to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 immediately wets the center of the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85. The moisture in the central portion of the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The electrolyzed water supplied from the second supply port 82b immediately wets a wide area of the side portion of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 at the side portions 45b on the left and right sides of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 at the rear of the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. The moisture on the side of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The electrolyzed water supplied from the third supply port 82c to the dust-wiping member 43 immediately wets the front edge portion of the dust-wiping operation portion 85 at the end portion of the front edge portion 45a of the dust-wiping member attachment portion 45. The moisture on the front edge of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85 spreads rearward of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

In this way, the first supply unit 18D of the fourth embodiment can immediately wet a wide range of the center portion, the edge portion, and the side portion of the leading edge of the wiping and dust collecting action unit 85, and can efficiently wet the wiping and dust collecting member with electrolytic water to uniformly wipe and collect dust on the surface f to be cleaned.

The intervals between the first supply port 82a and the second supply ports 82b are preferably set so that the wetting ranges of the electrolyzed water supplied from the supply ports 82a and 82b to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 are not interrupted but connected. The wetting range of the electrolyzed water varies depending on the material and the knitting method of the wiping and dust-collecting member 43, and is appropriately set depending on the characteristics of the wiping and dust-collecting member 43.

The plurality of wetting supply ports 71D may be arranged in two U letter shapes that are opened toward the rear of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and are continuous, or in two V letter shapes that are opened toward the rear of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and are continuous, with the arrangement of the front and rear being reversed.

Next, the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 will be described in detail. In the first example of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45A (hereinafter, simply referred to as "wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45A") and the second example of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45B (hereinafter, simply referred to as "wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45B"), which are described in the respective examples, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 11 is a schematic bottom view of a dust collection member mounting portion and a wiping dust collection portion of a first example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic sectional view of a dust suction member mounting portion and a wiping dust suction portion of a first example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45A of the first example of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a first water guide 86 for guiding the electrolyzed water from the supply position of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D to the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45.

The first water conveying part 86 may be combined with the wetting supply port 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, or 71D of any one of the first supply parts 18A, 18B, 18C, or 18D, which is one of the examples of the first supply part 18.

The first water guide 86 is, for example, a groove provided on the surface of the dust wiping member mounting portion 45 to which the dust wiping member 43 is mounted. The grooves extend in the width direction of the wiping dust suction member attachment portion 45 from the supply positions of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D. The first water guide 86 guides all or a part of the electrolyzed water flowing out from the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping/dust collecting member mounting portion 45 by the surface tension of the electrolyzed water or the capillary phenomenon.

The wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45A receives the electrolyzed water flowing out from the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D like a water receiving tray, and then guides the electrolyzed water in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 by the first water guide portion 86 to supply the electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43. Therefore, the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45A can supply the electrolyzed water over a wider range of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 by diffusing the electrolyzed water supplied from the supply positions of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45A. The electrolyzed water spread in the width direction of the wiping dust suction member attachment portion 45A from the supply positions of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D and supplied to the wiping dust suction member 43 immediately wets a wide range of the wiping dust suction action portion 85. The moisture in the wiping operation portion 85 spreads widely rearward of the wiping member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The first water guide 86 may directly guide a part of the electrolyzed water directly supplied to the dust-collecting wiping member 43 through a hole provided in the dust-collecting wiping member mounting portion 45A in the width direction of the dust-collecting wiping member mounting portion 45 before being absorbed by the dust-collecting wiping member 43.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 may further include, in addition to the first water guide portion 86 of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45A, a wiping and dust collecting member 43 including fibers woven in such a manner: the fibers are woven in an oriented manner so as to diffuse the electrolytic water from the supply position of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D in the width direction of the wiping/suctioning member 43. In this case, the wiping and suction member 43 is a cloth woven from a single fiber material or a cloth woven from a plurality of fiber materials having different water absorbability. In the case where the wiping and dust collecting member 43 is woven of a plurality of fibrous materials, it is preferable to contain polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and fibers having higher water absorbency than the polyester, such as plant fibers of cotton, hemp, rayon, and the like. The plant fiber is mainly cellulose and has many hydroxyl groups (hydroxyl groups), so that the water absorption of the plant fiber is higher than that of polyester.

Fig. 13 is a schematic bottom view of a dust suction member mounting portion and a wiping dust suction portion of a second example of an electric vacuum cleaner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 13, the wiping and cleaning member mounting portion 45B of the second example of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a second water guide portion 87 for radially diffusing the electrolyzed water from the supply position of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D.

The second water conveying part 87 may be combined with the wetting supply port 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, 71D of any one of the first supply parts 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, which is one of the examples of the first supply part 18.

The second water guide 87 is, for example, a plurality of grooves provided on the surface of the dust wiping member mounting portion 45 to which the dust wiping member 43 is mounted. The grooves extend radially from the supply positions of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D. The grooves extend mainly toward the left and right sides of the electric vacuum cleaner 1 and the rear of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, with the supply positions of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D as base points. The cross-sectional shape of each groove follows the wiping member attaching part 45A of the first example shown in fig. 12, and therefore, the cross-sectional shape is not shown. The second water guide 87 radially guides all or a part of the electrolyzed water flowing out from the supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D for humidification by the surface tension of the electrolyzed water or capillary phenomenon.

The wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45B receives the electrolyzed water flowing out from the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D like a water receiving tray, and then supplies the electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 by radially guiding the electrolyzed water by the second water guide portion 87. Therefore, the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45B can diffuse the electrolyzed water supplied from the supply positions of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in various directions and supply the electrolyzed water to a wider range of the wiping and dust collecting member 43. The electrolyzed water supplied to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 by radially diffusing the supply positions of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D immediately wets a wide area of the wiping and dust collecting action portion 85. The moisture in the wiping operation portion 85 spreads widely rearward of the wiping member 43 as the electric vacuum cleaner 1 moves forward.

The second water guide 87 may directly guide a part of the electrolyzed water directly supplied to the dust-collecting wiping member 43 through a hole provided in the dust-collecting wiping member mounting portion 45B in a radial shape before being absorbed by the dust-collecting wiping member 43.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 may further include a wiping and dust-collecting member 43 including fibers woven in a directional manner so as to diffuse electrolyzed water radially from the supply position of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D, in addition to or instead of the second water guide 87 of the wiping and dust-collecting member mounting portion 45B.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of an electric vacuum cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 14 in addition to fig. 2 and 3, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a communication unit 101 in addition 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 control unit 15, the secondary battery 6, the electrolyzed water generation device 17, and the first supply unit 18.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 further includes an identifier 102 provided on the wiping and cleaning member 43 and recording identification information, and a recognition unit 103 configured to read the identification information from the identifier 102 and determine whether or not the wiping and cleaning member 43 is authentic.

The communication unit 101 includes a transmission unit 101a for transmitting an infrared signal to the station 7, a reception unit 101b for receiving an infrared signal transmitted by the station 7 and a remote controller. The transmission unit 101a includes, for example, an infrared light emitting element. The receiving unit 101b 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 an image picked up 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 electric vacuum cleaner 1 can immediately process the digital data of the image captured 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. The image in the visible light region has better image quality than the image in the infrared region, for example, and can easily provide information that can be visually confirmed to the user without performing complicated image processing.

The camera section 51 is a so-called stereo camera. The camera unit 51 superimposes the captured images on a capturing range including a position in front of a center line that divides the electric vacuum cleaner 1 into two parts in the width direction. The camera unit 51 can obtain information of the depth within the imaging range. An image containing depth information is referred to as a "distance image". The depth of the camera unit 51 in the imaging range is the distance of separation as viewed from the electric vacuum cleaner 1.

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 unit 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 captured by the camera unit 51. The general imaging element 51a images 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 electric vacuum cleaner 1 can acquire distance information from the electric vacuum cleaner 1 to the object to be detected based on a time difference between when the light emitting portion 55a starts emitting light and when the light receiving portion 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 101. 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 7 and the remote controller via the communication unit 101, and performs autonomous operation and autonomous movement of the electric vacuum cleaner 1.

The control unit 15 includes an autonomous movement control unit 111 that controls autonomous movement of the electric vacuum cleaner 1, and a detection control unit 112 that controls operation of the detection unit 13. The autonomous movement control unit 111 and the detection control unit 112 are calculation programs.

The autonomous movement control unit 111 includes a Map information storage unit 113 that stores Environment Map information (Environment Map) of the dust-cleaned area a, a movement control unit 115 that controls the operation of the motor 27 of the movement unit 11, and a suction/dust-cleaning control unit 116 that controls the operations of the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 of the suction/dust-cleaning unit 31.

The map information storage unit 113 is a set of data constructed in a storage area secured in the auxiliary storage device, and has an appropriate data structure. The map information storage unit 113 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 electric vacuum cleaner 1, and is information including at least the shape of an area where the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can move, among places to be cleaned. The environment map information is constructed, for example, as a set of regularly arranged rectangles having one side of 10 cm. The environment map information may be prepared in advance when the electric vacuum cleaner 1 is used, or may be created while estimating the self position by simultaneousness Localization and Mapping (SLAM). The environment map information may be created and updated during the movement accompanying the dust collection operation. When environment map information is created by SLAM, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 preferably includes various sensors such as an encoder in addition to the detection unit 13. The movement control unit 115 creates environment map information based on information acquired from the detection unit 13 and various sensors.

The movement control unit 115 controls the movement unit 11 based on the environment map information to autonomously move the electric vacuum cleaner 1. The movement control unit 115 controls the magnitude and direction of the current flowing through the motor 27 to rotate the motor 27 forward or backward. The movement control unit 115 controls the driving of the driving wheels 26 by rotating the motor 27 forward or backward.

The suction/dust collection control unit 116 controls the brush motor 36 and the electric blower 38 independently of each other.

The detection control unit 112 controls the operation of the camera unit 51. The detection control unit 112 causes the camera unit 51 to capture images at predetermined time intervals. The detection control unit 112 stores the image captured by the camera unit 51 in the detection result storage unit 117. The image captured by the camera unit 51 is secured to the main storage device by the detection result storage unit 117. The detection result storage unit 117 stores the image captured by the camera unit 51. The detection result storage unit 117 has a capacity capable of storing a plurality of images.

The detection result storage unit 117 may store image information indicating an image captured by the camera unit 51 without processing, or may store image information processed to reduce the data size while retaining information necessary for image analysis processing as much as possible. The image information stored in the detection result storage unit 117 may be an image obtained by converting an image captured by the camera unit 51 into a gray scale, for example. In the case of a grayscale image, the pixel values of the image coincide with the luminance values. In the case of storing an image converted into a grayscale, the control unit 15 may be configured to reduce the capacity of the memory area allocated to the detection result storage unit 117, that is, the resource, as compared with the case of 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 image graying may be performed by the camera unit 51. The camera unit 51 performs image processing, thereby reducing the load on the central processing unit. In the following, an image obtained by converting an image captured by the camera unit 51 into a gray scale is referred to as an "image" as in the case of the original image captured by the camera unit 51.

Further, the detection control unit 112 controls turning on and off of the illumination device. The illumination device illuminates an image to facilitate analysis and improve accuracy.

The detection control unit 112 stores the detection result of the proximity detection unit 52, in other words, the proximity of the object to be detected to the main body 5 and the distance separating the object to be detected from the main body 5 at that time in the detection result storage unit 117.

The detection control unit 112 also stores the detection result of the contact detection unit 53, in other words, the case where the object to be detected has contacted the main body 5, in the detection result storage unit 117.

While the moving unit 11 moves the main body 5, the electrolytic water generator 17 applies a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61, and electrolyzes water stored in the tank 16 by the electric power of the secondary battery 6 to generate electrolytic water. Here, the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 may form electrolyzed water while the moving unit 11 moves the main body 5, or may form electrolyzed water for a predetermined period of time while the moving unit 11 moves the main body 5. The predetermined period is not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate. The predetermined period of time may be determined, for example, based on the concentration of hypochlorous acid contained in the generated electrolyzed water, the amount of water stored in tank 16, the remaining amount of secondary battery 6, and the like, as described in detail below.

The electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 may be configured to apply a voltage between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61 while the moving unit 11 does not move the main body, and electrolyze water stored in the tank 16 by the electric power of the secondary battery 6 to form electrolyzed water. For example, when the main body 5 is stopped in the dust suction area a or when the main body 5 is connected to the station 7, a voltage may be applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61 to generate electrolyzed water.

In order to obtain electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid of a desired concentration quickly after the start of the movement of the main body 5, the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 makes the voltage applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61 larger than that in the other cases at least until a predetermined time elapses after the start of the movement of the main body 5 by the movement unit 11. The voltage value at this time is referred to as a large voltage value. For example, until the time for obtaining electrolyzed water containing 5ppm hypochlorous acid from the water before electrolysis in the full water amount of the tank 16 elapses, the electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 applies a large voltage value, for example, a voltage of 10 volts, to the electrode 61. A water level gauge 118 for detecting the amount of water accumulated in the tank 16, in other words, the water level (the level of the electrolyzed water) may be provided inside the tank 16. The electrolyzed water forming apparatus 17 may apply a voltage having a large voltage value to the electrodes 61 until the time when the electrolyzed water is obtained based on the amount of water in the tank 16 measured by the water level gauge 118 elapses.

The water level gauge 118 may be either contact or non-contact. The contact type water level gauge 118 can be of a float type for measuring the water level based on the position in the vertical direction of a float (float) provided in the tank 16, or of a capacitance type for measuring the water level by detecting the capacitance between a pair of electrodes, for example. The noncontact water level gauge 118 can adopt a known method of measuring the water level using an electric wave, an ultrasonic wave, or a light wave, for example.

The electrolytic water generator 17 may change the value of the voltage applied between the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode 61 based on the remaining amount of water stored in the tank 16.

The identifier 102 is, for example, one of an RFID (Radio frequency identification), a barcode, a color of the dust wiping part 43, a shape of the dust wiping part 43, and a material of the dust wiping part 43. That is, the identification information is, for example, information recorded in rfid (radio frequency identification), information expressed by a barcode, and any one of a color that characterizes the wiping/cleaning member 43, a shape that characterizes the wiping/cleaning member 43, and a characteristic of a material of the wiping/cleaning member 43.

The recognition unit 103 includes, for example: an RFID, barcode reader 121; and a determination unit 122 for determining whether or not the information of the identifier 102 read by the reading device 121 is information indicating a preset genuine product. The reading device 121 may be a camera that photographs a color characterizing the wiping and cleaning member 43 and a shape characterizing the wiping and cleaning member 43, or may be a different photoelectric sensor that detects the reflectance of each material. The determination unit 122 is an arithmetic program executed by the control unit 15.

The identification unit 103 identifies the textile wiping member 43 having the characteristic fiber orientation or the wiping member 43 having a shape that can be attached to and detached from the wiping member attachment units 45, 45A, and 45B, and determines whether or not the wiping member 43 is a genuine product, in other words, whether or not the wiping member 43 is genuine. When the recognition unit 103 determines that the wiping and dust collecting member 43 is a genuine product, the control unit 15 supplies the electrolyzed water from the first supply mechanism 65 to the wiping and dust collecting member 43. When the identification unit 103 determines that the wiping and dust collecting member 43 is an unauthorized product, the control unit 15 does not supply the electrolytic water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43.

As described above, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes at least one first supply port 82a for supplying electrolytic water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at the front edge portion 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can wet a wide range of the wiping member 43 with the electrolyzed water via the surface f to be cleaned while wet-wiping the surface f to be cleaned with the electrolyzed water as it advances, and can efficiently wet the wiping member 43 with the electrolyzed water to uniformly wipe and clean the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment has a first supply port 82a for supplying electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at the center in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can wet the surface f to be cleaned with the electrolyzed water as it advances, wet a wide range of the surface f to be cleaned 43 with the electrolyzed water from the center of the front edge of the surface f to be cleaned 43 through the surface f to be cleaned, and efficiently wet the surface f to be cleaned with the electrolyzed water to uniformly clean the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of second supply ports 82b for supplying electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43, at the rear of the front edge 45a of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45 and at the left and right side portions 45b of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can easily wet a wide range of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolytic water while wet-wiping the surface f to be cleaned with the electrolytic water as it advances, and can efficiently wet the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolytic water to uniformly wipe and collect the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment has a plurality of third supply ports 82c for supplying electrolyzed water to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 at the respective left and right side portions 45b of the wiping and dust collecting member attachment portion 45. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can wet a wide range of the wiping and cleaning member 43 with the electrolyzed water from the left and right sides via the surface f to be cleaned while wet-wiping the surface f to be cleaned with the electrolyzed water as it advances, and can efficiently wet the wiping and cleaning member 43 with the electrolyzed water to uniformly wipe and clean the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes the first water guide 86 for guiding the electrolyzed water from the supply position of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion 45. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can easily expand the supply range of the electrolyzed water to be supplied to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 to wet the wide range of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolyzed water, and can efficiently wet the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolyzed water to uniformly wipe and collect the dust on the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment further includes a second water guide 87 for radially diffusing the electrolyzed water from the supply position of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can wet a wide range of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolyzed water in the supply range of the electrolyzed water to be supplied to the wiping and dust collecting member 43, and can wet the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolyzed water efficiently to wipe and collect dust uniformly on the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a wiping member 43 including the fibers: the fibers are oriented and woven so that the electrolyzed water is diffused from the supply position of at least one of the wetting supply ports 71, 71A, 71B, 71C, and 71D in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member 43. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can easily expand the supply range of the electrolyzed water to be supplied to the wiping and dust collecting member 43 in the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 to wet the wide range of the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolyzed water, and can efficiently wet the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with the electrolyzed water to uniformly wipe and collect the dust on the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes a wiping member 43 made of a fiber having higher water absorbency than polyester. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can suck more electrolyzed water and reliably wipe and clean the surface f to be cleaned.

The electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment includes an identifier 102 provided on the wiping and cleaning member 43, and a recognition unit 103 that reads the identification information from the identifier 102 and determines whether or not the wiping and cleaning member 43 is authentic. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can reliably perform wiping and dust collection on the surface f to be cleaned by the regular wiping and dust collection member 43 having appropriate properties.

In addition, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment performs wet wiping with electrolyzed water. Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 can easily sterilize the surface f to be cleaned.

Therefore, the electric vacuum cleaner 1 of the present embodiment can efficiently wet the wiping and dust collecting member 43 with a liquid, such as electrolytic water, and can uniformly wipe and collect dust on the surface to be cleaned.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are provided as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present 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 present invention. These embodiments and modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention recited in the claims registered in the invention and the equivalent scope thereof.

Claims (14)

1. An electric vacuum cleaner is characterized by comprising:

a reservoir capable of holding a liquid;

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

a supply unit for supplying the liquid from the storage tank to the wiping and dust-collecting member,

the supply unit has at least one supply port for supplying the liquid to the wiping member at a front edge of the wiping member mounting portion.

2. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1,

the at least one supply port includes a first supply port for supplying the liquid to the wiping and dust collecting member at a central portion in a width direction of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion.

3. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the at least one supply port includes a plurality of second supply ports for supplying the liquid to the wiping member, the second supply ports being located behind a front edge of the wiping member mounting portion and being located on each of right and left sides of the wiping member mounting portion.

4. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the at least one supply port includes a plurality of third supply ports for supplying the liquid to the wiping and dust collecting member, at a front edge portion of the wiping and dust collecting member, and at each of right and left side portions of the wiping and dust collecting member mounting portion.

5. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the wiping and dust collecting component mounting part is provided with a first water guide part which guides the liquid from the supply position of the at least one supply port to the width direction of the wiping and dust collecting component mounting part.

6. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the wiping and dust collecting component mounting part is provided with a second water guide part which enables the liquid to be diffused in a radial shape from the supply position of the at least one supply port.

7. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the wiping part comprises fibres which are: the fibers are oriented to spread the liquid from the supply position of the at least one supply port in the width direction of the wiping and suction member.

8. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the dust wiping and absorbing component comprises fibers with higher water absorption than polyester.

9. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

an identifier which records identification information and is provided on the wiping and dust-collecting member; and

and a recognition unit for reading the identification information from the identifier and recognizing the authenticity of the wiping and dust collecting member.

10. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the liquid is electrolyzed water.

11. The electric vacuum cleaner according to claim 1 or 2,

the cleaning device is provided with a supply port for spraying the liquid to the surface to be cleaned, which is positioned at the front side of the supply port.

12. A dust-cleaning member to be attached to an electric vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface to be cleaned,

the wiping part comprises fibres which are: the fibers are oriented and woven so as to spread the liquid in the width direction of the electric vacuum cleaner from the supply position of the liquid supplied from the electric vacuum cleaner.

13. A cleaning member according to claim 12,

comprising fibers having a higher water absorption than polyester.

14. The component of claim 12 or 13, further comprising an identifier for recording the identification information.

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