EP3773108A1

EP3773108A1 - Dust collecting equipment

Info

Publication number: EP3773108A1
Application number: EP19778221.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hyemin KANG; Sangik Lee
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2018-03-29
Filing date: 2019-03-28
Publication date: 2021-02-17
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-28
Also published as: EP3773108B1; US20210113040A1; KR102070064B1; WO2019190237A1; EP3773108A4; KR20190114214A

Abstract

A cleaner includes a dust separation unit which separates dust from sucked air; a dust container which stores the dust separated by the dust separation unit; a first suction port through which an external air is sucked into the dust separation unit; a second suction port through which the external air is sucked into the dust separation unit; a discharge port through which air inside the dust separation unit is discharged; and a flow path blocking member which selectively covers the first suction port and the second suction port.

Description

DUST COLLECTING EQUIPMENT

The present invention relates to dust collecting equipment, and more particularly, to dust collecting equipment and a cleaner capable of accomplishing automatic cleaning and manual cleaning.

In general, a cleaner includes a cleaner main body having a suction unit and a dust container, and a cleaning nozzle which is coupled to the cleaner main body and performs cleaning while being in close contact with a surface to be cleaned.

The cleaner is divided into a manual cleaner for manually cleaning the surface to be cleaned by a user and an automatic cleaner for cleaning the surface to be cleaned while traveling by itself.

According to the manual cleaner, in a state where the suction unit generates a suction force by a driving force of an electric motor, when the user places the cleaning nozzle or the cleaner main body on the surface to be cleaned while the user holds the cleaning nozzle or the cleaner main body by hand, the cleaning nozzle sucks foreign matter including dust on the surface to be cleaned, and the sucked foreign matter is collected in the dust container, thereby cleaning the surface to be cleaned.

In addition, according to the automatic cleaner, the cleaner main body having the suction unit and the dust container may be provided with an ultrasonic sensor and/or camera sensor, or the like. The cleaning nozzle sucks the foreign matter on the surface to be cleaned by the suction force generated in the suction unit while the cleaner main body automatically travels around the surface to be cleaned, and the sucked foreign matter is collected in the dust container, thereby cleaning the surface to be cleaned.

The cleaning nozzle used in the manual cleaner is moved to the surface to be cleaned by a user and is brought into close contact with the surface to be cleaned. However, the cleaning nozzle used in the automatic cleaner is disposed to be in close contact with the surface to be cleaned when it is in a state of being coupled to the cleaner main body.

In addition, a wheel for moving the cleaner main body is installed in the cleaner main body of each of the manual cleaner and the automatic cleaner. The wheel installed in the manual cleaner allows the user to easily drag the cleaner main body while the cleaner main body is placed on the floor, and the wheel installed in the automatic cleaner is automatically rotated by the driving force of an electric motor to move the cleaner main body automatically.

In recent years, a cleaner capable of accomplishing both automatic cleaning and manual cleaning has been actively developed. However, in order to implement a cleaner capable of accomplishing automatic cleaning and manual cleaning, a cleaning nozzle, a flow path, and various structures are required to be changed. Therefore, there is a problem in that it is difficult to manufacture a cleaner capable of accomplishing automatic cleaning and manual cleaning by a simple configuration change.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides dust collecting equipment that has a suction port to which a cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning is connected, a suction port to which a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is connected, and a discharge port through which dust-separated air is discharged, can accomplish automatic cleaning and manual cleaning, and can easily accomplish switching from the automatic cleaning to the manual cleaning without changing any configuration.

The present invention further provides dust collecting equipment which enables a flow path blocking member of the dust collecting equipment to move manually during switching between automatic cleaning and manual cleaning, thereby easily achieving switching between automatic cleaning and manual cleaning.

The present invention further provides dust collecting equipment which enables a flow path blocking member of the dust collecting equipment to move automatically according to the coupling of a manual cleaning nozzles, thereby easily achieving switching between automatic cleaning and manual cleaning.

The present invention further provides dust collecting equipment and a cleaner which are capable of blocking a suction port for automatic cleaning during manual cleaning and blocking a suction port for manual cleaning during automatic cleaning, thereby removing a cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning during automatic cleaning or preventing air from flowing into other suction port.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a cleaner includes: a a dust separation unit which separates dust from sucked air; a dust container which stores the dust separated by the dust separation unit; a first suction port through which an external air is sucked into the dust separation unit; a second suction port through which the external air is sucked into the dust separation unit; a discharge port through which air inside the dust separation unit is discharged; and a flow path blocking member which selectively covers the first suction port and the second suction port.

The flow path blocking member reciprocates between a first position for covering the first suction port and a second position for covering the second suction port.

The cleaner further comprises a lever which is connected to the flow path blocking member and at least a part of the lever is exposed to the outside of the dust container.

The first suction port and the second suction port are formed on a lateral surface of the dust container.

The cleaner further comprises a movement guide which guides movement of the flow path blocking member; and an elastic member which provides an elastic force to return the flow path blocking member to the second position.

The flow path blocking member restricts a coupling of a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port, when the flow path blocking member is located in a second position.

The flow path blocking member allows a coupling of a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port, when the flow path blocking member is located in a first position.

A coupling unit for coupling a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is formed around the second suction port, and the flow path blocking member covers at least a part of the coupling unit when the flow path blocking member is located in a second position.

The flow path blocking member exposes the coupling unit when the flow path blocking member is positioned in a first position.

An elastic return of the flow path blocking member to the second position is restricted by a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port.

The flow path blocking member returns to the second position due to the elastic force of the elastic member, when the coupling of the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port is released

The cleaner further comprises an actuator which moves the flow path blocking member to the first position.

The cleaner further comprises a coupling sensor which detects that a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port, and the actuator moves the flow path blocking member to the first position when the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port.

The cleaner further comprises a coupling sensor which detects that a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port, and the actuator moves the flow blocking member to the second position when the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is disconnected from the second suction port.

The flow path blocking member has the same curvature, within a certain error range, as a curvature of an inner surface or an outer surface of a lateral surface of the dust container.

As described above, the cleaner according to the present invention has the following effects.

First, the present invention includes a suction port to which a cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning is coupled, a suction port to which a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled, and a discharge port through which the dust-separated air is discharged, thereby implementing a cleaner capable of automatically cleaning and manually cleaning, and easily switching from automatic cleaning to manual cleaning without changing any configuration.

Second, according to the cleaner of the present invention, since the cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning is fixed to the dust collecting equipment and the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is selectively detachable to the dust collecting equipment, the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is detached during automatic cleaning and the suction port for manual cleaning is blocked by the flow path blocking member, and the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled during manual cleaning and the suction port for automatic cleaning is blocked by the flow path blocking member. Accordingly, the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning does not interfere with the automatic cleaning during automatic cleaning because the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning can be separated, and the sealing force of the dust collecting equipment can be maintained during switching of the automatic cleaning and the manual cleaning.

Third, when the user couples the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning to the suction port for manual cleaning, the flow path blocking member automatically blocks the suction port for automatic cleaning. Accordingly, the user can easily switch from automatic cleaning to manual cleaning.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

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

FIG. 2 is a view showing a cleaner in a state in which a dust container is separated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the cleaner of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of dust collecting equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the dust collecting equipment shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the dust collecting equipment shown in FIG. 4 in a state in which a flow path blocking member blocks a second suction port;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the dust collecting equipment shown in FIG. 4 in a state in which a flow path blocking member blocks a first suction port;

FIG. 8 is a view showing the flow of air in an automatic cleaning mode of a cleaner of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view showing the flow of air in a manual cleaning mode of a cleaner of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of dust collecting equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 10 from a different angle;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view when a flow path blocking member of the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 10 is located in a first position;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view when a flow path blocking member of the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 10 is located in a second position;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a conceptual view showing a case where dust collecting equipment and a flow path blocking member are located in a second position according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a conceptual view showing a case where the flow path blocking member is located in a first position in FIG. 15, and a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled;

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where dust collecting equipment and a flow path blocking member are located in a second position according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where the flow path blocking member is located in a first position in FIG. 17, and a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present embodiment, the same designations and the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and further description thereof will be omitted. It will be understood that when an element (e.g., first element) is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element (e.g., second element), it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element (e.g., third element) or intervening elements may be present. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present inventive concept. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts.

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view showing a cleaner in a state in which a dust container is separated in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the cleaner of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, a cleaner 100 includes a cleaner main body 110, a cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning, a sensing unit 130, and dust collecting equipment. The dust collecting equipment includes a dust separation unit 160, 170, a dust box 140, and a flow path blocking member 220.

The cleaner main body 110 includes various installed or mounted components including a controller (not shown) for controlling the cleaner 100. The cleaner main body 110 may form a space for accommodating various components constituting the cleaner 100.

The cleaner main body 110 may be selected in one of an automatic mode and a manual mode by the user and travel. The cleaner main body 110 may be provided with a mode selection input unit for selecting one of the automatic mode and the manual mode. When the user selects the automatic mode in the mode selection input unit, the cleaner main body 110 may automatically travel like a robot cleaner. In addition, when the user selects the manual mode in the mode selection input unit, the cleaner main body 110 may travel manually by being dragged or pushed by user's force.

Obviously, when a user couples a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning to a second suction port, the cleaner main body 110 travels manually by dragging or pushing by the user's force, and when the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is detached from the second suction port, the cleaner main body 110 may travel automatically like a robot cleaner.

The cleaner main body 110 is provided with a wheel 111 for traveling. The wheel 111 is provided to be rotatable by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown). The rotation direction of the motor may be controlled by a controller (not shown), and thus, a wheel 111 may be configured to be rotatable in one direction or the other direction.

The wheel 111 may be provided in both left and right sides of the cleaner main body 110, respectively. The cleaner main body 110 may be moved back and forth, left and right by the wheel 111, or rotated.

Each of the wheel 111 may be configured to be drivable independently of each other. To this end, each wheel 111 may be driven by a different motor.

The controller controls the driving of the wheel 111, so that the cleaner 100 is implemented to autonomously travel on the floor.

The wheel 111 is provided in a lower portion of the cleaner main body 110 to move the cleaner main body 110. The wheel 111 may be configured only of circular wheels, may be configured by circular rollers which are connected by a belt chain, or may be configured by combining a wheel formed of circular wheels with a wheel having circular rollers which are connected by a belt chain. The upper portion of the wheel 111 may be disposed inside the cleaner main body 110 and the lower portion thereof may protrude to a lower side of the cleaner main body 110. At least the lower portion of the wheel 111 is provided in contact with the floor surface which is a surface to be cleaned, so that the cleaner main body 110 can travel.

The wheel 111 may be installed in the left and right sides of the cleaner main body 110, respectively. The wheel 111 disposed in the left side of the cleaner main body 110 and the wheel 111 disposed in the right side of the cleaner 100 may be independently driven. That is, the wheel 111 disposed in the left side of the cleaner main body 110 may be coupled to each other via at least one first gear, and may be rotated by the driving force of a first traveling motor that rotates the first gear. In addition, the wheel 111 disposed in the right side of the cleaner main body 110 may be coupled to each other via at least one second gear, and may be rotated by the driving force of a second traveling motor that rotates the second gear.

The controller may determine the travelling direction of the cleaner main body 110 by controlling the rotational speed of each rotating shaft of the first traveling motor and the second traveling motor. For example, when the rotating shafts of the first traveling motor and the second traveling motor are simultaneously rotated at the same speed, the cleaner main body 110 can move straight. In addition, when the rotating shafts of the first traveling motor and the second traveling motor are simultaneously rotated at different speeds, the controller may turn the cleaner main body 110 to the left or right side. The controller may drive one of the first traveling motor and the second traveling motor and stop the other so as to turn the cleaner main body 110 to the left or right.

A suspension unit may be installed inside the cleaner main body 110. The suspension unit may include a coil spring. The suspension unit can absorb the shock and vibration transmitted from the wheel 111 during travel of the cleaner main body 110 by using an elastic force of the coil spring.

Further, the suspension unit may be provided with an elevating unit for adjusting the height of the cleaner main body 110. The elevating unit can be vertically movably installed in the suspension unit and can be coupled to the cleaner 100. Therefore, when the elevating unit is moved upward from the suspension unit, the cleaner 100 can be moved upward together with the elevating unit. When the elevating unit is moved downward from the suspension unit, the cleaner 100 can be moved downward together with the elevating unit. The cleaner 100 may be vertically moved by the elevating unit to adjust the height.

When the cleaner main body 110 travels on a hard floor, the bottom surface of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may move while being in close contact with the floor surface so that the floor surface can be cleaned. However, when a carpet is laid on the floor surface to be cleaned, slipping may occur in the wheel 111 so that the traveling performance of the cleaner main body 110 may be reduced. In addition, the traveling performance of the cleaner main body 110 may be reduced due to the force of sucking the carpet by the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning.

However, since the elevating unit adjusts the height of the cleaner main body 110 according to the slip rate of the wheel 111 (the same in below), the degree to which the bottom surface of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning is in close contact with the surface to be cleaned can be adjusted, so that the traveling performance of the cleaner main body 110 can be maintained regardless of the material of the surface to be cleaned.

Meanwhile, if the wheel 111 disposed in the left side of the cleaner main body 110 is coupled to the first traveling motor through the first gear, and if the wheel 111 disposed in the right side of the cleaner main body 110 is coupled to the second traveling motor through the second gear, when the user desires to move the cleaner main body 110 in the manual mode in a state in which the first traveling motor and the second traveling motor are stopped, both the left and right wheels 111 can not be rotated. Therefore, in the manual mode of the cleaner main body 110, the left and right wheels 111 and the first and second traveling motors should be disconnected. To this end, it is preferable that a clutch is disposed inside the cleaner main body 110 to connect the left and right wheels 111 and the first and second traveling motors when the cleaner main body 110 is in the automatic mode, and to disconnect the left and right wheels 111 and the first and second traveling motors when the cleaner main body 110 is in the manual mode.

The cleaner main body 110 is equipped with a battery (not shown) for supplying power to an electrical component of the cleaner 100. The battery is configured to be chargeable and detachable from the cleaner main body 110.

The cleaner main body 110 is provided with a dust container accommodating unit 112, and the dust container 140 for separating and collecting dust in the sucked air is detachably coupled to the dust container accommodating unit 112.

The dust container accommodating unit 112 may have a shape opened frontward and upward of the cleaner main body 110 and may be recessed from the front side of the cleaner main body 110 to the rear side. The dust container accommodating unit 112 may be formed such that the front side, the upper side, and the lower side of a front portion of the cleaning body 110 are opened.

The dust container accommodating unit 112 may be formed in other position (e.g., behind the cleaner main body 110) depending on the type of the cleaner.

The dust container 140 is detachably coupled to the dust container accommodating unit 112. A part of the dust container 140 may be accommodated in the dust container accommodating unit 112 and the other part of the dust container 140 may protrude toward the front of the cleaner main body 110.

The dust container 140 has a first suction port 142 through which the dust-containing air is introduced through the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning, a second suction port 142 through which the dust-containing air is introduced through the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning, and a discharge port 143 through which the dust-separated air is discharged. When the dust container 140 is installed in the dust container accommodating unit 112, the first suction port 142 and the discharge port 143 are configured to communicate with a first opening 116 and a second opening 117 formed in the inner lateral side wall of the dust container accommodating unit 112, respectively.

The second suction port is exposed to the outside of the cleaner main body 110, so that the user can easily couple the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning. Specifically, the second suction port is exposed to the front of the cleaner main body 110. The second suction port is exposed to the front side of the cleaner main body 110 in a state where the dust container is coupled to the dust container accommodating unit 112. More specifically, the second suction port is located above the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning in a state where the dust container is coupled to the dust container accommodating unit 112.

An suction flow path 129 formed in the cleaner main body 110 corresponds to a flow path ranging from the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning to the first opening 116, and an exhaust flow path corresponds to a flow path ranging from the second opening 117 to an exhaust port.

Based on such a configuration, the dust-containing air introduced through the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning flows into the dust container 140 through the suction flow path 129 inside the cleaner main body 110, and passes through at least one dust separation unit (e.g., a cyclone, a filter, etc.) to separate the air and the dust from each other. The dust is collected in the dust container 140 and the air is discharged from the dust container 140, and then finally discharged to the outside through the exhaust port via the exhaust flow path inside the cleaner main body 110.

The cleaner main body 110 is provided with an upper cover 113 covering the dust container 140 accommodated in the dust container accommodating unit 112. The upper cover 113 may be hinged to one side of the cleaner main body 110 to be rotatable. The upper cover 113 may cover the opened upper side of the dust container accommodating unit 112 and cover the upper side of the dust container 140. In addition, the upper cover 113 may be configured to be detachable from the cleaner main body 110.

The separation of the dust container 140 from the dust container accommodating unit 112 may be restricted in a state in which the upper cover 113 is disposed to cover the dust container 140.

A handle 114 is provided in the upper side of the upper cover 113. The handle 114 may be provided with a photographing unit 115. At this time, it is preferable that the photographing unit 115 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the cleaner main body 110 so that the photographing unit 115 can photograph both the front side and the upper side together.

The photographing unit 115 may be provided in the cleaner main body 110 to photograph an image for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) of the cleaner. The image photographed by the photographing unit 115 is used to generate a map of the traveling area or to detect the current position in the traveling area.

The photographing unit 115 may generate three-dimensional coordinate information related to the surroundings of the cleaner main body 110. That is, the photographing unit 115 may be a 3D Depth Camera that calculates the distance between the cleaner 100 and an object to be photographed. Accordingly, field data for three-dimensional coordinate information may be generated.

Specifically, the photographing unit 115 may photograph a two-dimensional image related to the surroundings of the cleaner main body 110, and may generate a plurality of three-dimensional coordinate information corresponding to the photographed two-dimensional image.

In an embodiment, the photographing unit 115 may include two or more cameras that obtain an existing two-dimensional image, and may achieve a stereoscopic vision scheme that generates three-dimensional coordinate information by combining two or more images obtained from two or more cameras.

Specifically, the photographing unit 115 according to the embodiment may include a first pattern irradiating unit for irradiating light of a first pattern downward toward the front side of the main body, a second pattern irradiating unit for irradiating light of a second pattern upward toward the front side of the main body 2, and an image acquiring unit for acquiring an image of the front side of the main body. Thus, the image acquiring unit may acquire an image of an area to which light of the first pattern and light of the second pattern are emitted.

In another embodiment, the photographing unit 115 may include an infrared ray pattern irradiating unit for irradiating an infrared ray pattern together with a single camera, and captures the shape of the infrared ray pattern, irradiated by the infrared ray pattern irradiating unit, projected onto an object to be photographed so that the distance between the photographing unit 115 and the object to be photographed can be measured. The photographing unit 115 may be an Infra Red (IR) type photographing unit 115.

In another embodiment, the photographing unit 115 may include a light emitting unit that emits light together with a single camera, may receive a part of the laser, emitted from the light emitting unit, reflected from the object to be photographed, and may analyze the received laser, so that the distance between the photographing unit 115 and the object to be photographed can be measured. The photographing unit 115 may be an time-of-flight (TOF) type photographing unit 115.

Specifically, the laser of the above mentioned photographing unit 115 is configured to irradiate a laser extending in at least one direction. In one example, the photographing unit 115 may include first and second lasers, and the first laser may irradiate linear lasers intersected with each other and the second laser may irradiate a single linear laser. According to this, the lowermost laser is used to detect obstacles in the floor, the uppermost laser is used to detect obstacles in the upper portion, and the intermediate laser between the lowermost laser and the uppermost laser detects an obstacle in the middle portion.

The sensing unit 130 may be disposed below the upper cover 113 and the sensing unit 130 may be detachably coupled to the dust container 140.

The sensing unit 130 is disposed in the cleaner main body 110 and detects information related to the environment where the cleaner main body 110 is positioned. The sensing unit 130 detects information related to the environment to generate field data.

The sensing unit 130 detects surrounding features (including obstacles) so that the cleaner 100 does not collides with the obstacle. The sensing unit 130 may sense information on the outside of the cleaner 100. The sensing unit 130 may detect a user in the vicinity of the cleaner 100. The sensing unit 130 may detect an object in the vicinity of the cleaner 100.

In addition, the sensing unit 130 is configured to be able to accomplish panning (move to left and right) and tilting (disposed to be inclined up and down) in order to improve the detecting function of the cleaner and the traveling function of the robot cleaner.

The sensing unit 130 is disposed in the front side of the cleaner main body 110 and disposed between the dust container 140 and the upper cover 113. A coupling protrusion 132d protrudes from the lower surface of the sensing unit 130, and a coupling groove 141 through which the coupling protrusion 132d is inserted is formed in the upper surface of the dust container 141. When the upper cover 113 covers the upper side of the dust container accommodating unit 112, the coupling protrusion 132d is inserted into the coupling groove 141 so that the dust container 140 is coupled to the sensing unit 130 and unable to be separated from the cleaner main body 110.

On the other hand, when the upper cover 113 opens the upper side of the dust container accommodating unit 112, the coupling protrusion 132d escapes from the coupling groove 141, so that the dust container 140 is disconnected from the sensing unit 130 and able to be separated from the cleaner main body 110.

The sensing unit 130 may include at least one of an external signal sensor, an obstacle sensor, a cliff sensor, a lower camera sensor, an upper camera sensor, an encoder, a shock sensor, and a microphone.

The external signal sensor can detect an external signal of the cleaner 100. The external signal sensor may be, for example, an infrared ray sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a Radio Frequency (RF) sensor, or the like. Thus, field data for the external signal may be generated.

The cleaner 100 may receive a guide signal generated by a charging signal by using the external signal sensor and detect information on the position and the direction of the charging base. At this time, the charging base may transmit a guide signal indicating the direction and the distance so that the cleaner 100 can return. That is, the cleaner 100 may receive a signal transmitted from the charging base, determine the current position, and set the moving direction so that it can return to the charging base.

The obstacle sensor can detect an obstacle ahead. Thus, field data for the obstacle is generated.

The obstacle sensor may detect an object existing in the moving direction of the cleaner 100 and may transmit the generated field data to the controller. That is, the obstacle sensor can detect protrusions existing on the moving path of the cleaner 100, furnishings in the house, furniture, wall, wall corner, and the like, and transmit the field data to the controller.

The obstacle sensor may be, for example, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a RF sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and the like. The cleaner 100 may use one type of sensor as an obstacle sensor or use two or more types of sensors together as needed.

The cliff sensor can detect obstacles on the floor supporting the cleaner main body 110 by mainly using various types of optical sensors. Thus, field data for an obstacle on the floor is generated.

The cliff sensor may be, like an obstacle sensor, an infrared sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, an ultrasonic sensor, an RF sensor, a position sensitive detector (PSD) sensor, or the like.

For example, the cliff sensor may be a PSD sensor, but it may be composed of a plurality of different types of sensors. The PSD sensor has a light emitting unit that emits infrared rays to an obstacle, and a light receiving unit that receives infrared rays that are reflected from the obstacle and is returned, and is generally configured in the form of a module. When an obstacle is detected by using the PSD sensor, a stable measurement value can be obtained irrespective of the reflectance and the color difference of the obstacle.

The controller may measure an infrared angle between a light emitting signal of the infrared ray emitted by the cliff sensor toward the ground and a reflection signal received after being reflected by the obstacle so that it can detect the cliff and acquire the field data of the depth.

A lower camera sensor acquires image information (field data) about the surface to be cleaned while the cleaner 100 is moving. The lower camera sensor is also referred to as an optical flow sensor. The lower camera sensor may convert a lower side image inputted from an image sensor provided in the sensor to generate image data (field data) of a certain format. Field data for an image recognized through the lower camera sensor can be generated.

By using the lower camera sensor, the controller may detect the position of a mobile robot irrespective of the slip of the mobile robot. The controller may compare and analyze the image data photographed by the lower camera sensor according to time and calculate the movement distance and the movement direction, and calculate the position of the mobile robot based on the calculated movement distance and the movement direction.

An upper camera sensor may be installed to face the upper side or the front side of the cleaner 100 to photograph the vicinity of the cleaner 100. When the cleaner 100 includes a plurality of upper camera sensors, the camera sensors may be formed in the upper side or lateral surface of the mobile robot at a certain distance or at a certain angle. Field data for an image recognized through the upper camera sensor may be generated.

The encoder may detect information related to the operation of the motor that drives the wheel 111. Thus, field data on the operation of the motor is generated.

The shock sensor may detect a shock when the cleaner 100 collides with an external obstacle or the like. Thus, field data on an external shock is generated.

The microphone may detect an external sound. Accordingly, field data for the external sound is generated.

In the present embodiment, the sensing unit 130 includes an image sensor. In the present embodiment, the field data is image information acquired by the image sensor or feature point information extracted from the image information, but it is not necessarily limited thereto.

Meanwhile, a cable adaptor 118 may be disposed in the open lower side of the dust container accommodating unit 112. The cable adaptor 118 may be coupled to the cleaner main body 110 to form a part of the cleaner main body 110. That is, when the cable adaptor 118 is coupled to the cleaner main body 110, the cable adaptor 118 may be considered as the same configuration as that of the cleaner main body 110. The dust container 140 for storing foreign matter may be placed on the cable adaptor 118. The cable adaptor 118 may connect the cleaner main body 110 and the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning. The cable adaptor 118 may connect the suction flow path 129 of the cleaner main body 110 and the suction flow path 129 of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning.

The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning is configured to suck the dust-containing air or to wipe the floor. Here, the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning for sucking the dust-containing air may be referred to as a suction module, and the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning for wiping the floor may be referred to as a mop module.

The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be detachably coupled to the cleaner main body 110. When the suction module is detached from the cleaner main body 110, the mop module may be detachably coupled to the cleaner main body 110 in place of the detached suction module. Accordingly, when a user desires to remove the dust on the floor, the suction module is mounted in the cleaner main body 110, and when the user desires to wipe the floor, the mop module may be mounted in the cleaner main body 110.

The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be configured to have a function of wiping the floor after sucking the dust-containing air.

The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be disposed below the cleaner main body 110 or may protrude from one side of the cleaner main body 110 as shown in the drawing. One side of the cleaner main body 110 may be a side in which the cleaner main body 110 travels in the forward direction, i.e., the front portion of the cleaner main body 110. The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be disposed forward of the wheel 111, and a part of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may protrude forward of the dust container 140.

In the drawing, it is shown that the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning protrudes from one side of the cleaner main body 110 to the front side and to both the left and right sides. Specifically, the front end portion of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning is disposed in a position spaced forward from one side of the cleaner main body 110, and the left and right end portions of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning are disposed to be spaced apart from one side of the cleaner main body 110 to the left and right sides of the cleaner main body 110.

A suction motor 150 may be installed inside the cleaner main body 110. An impeller (not shown) may be coupled to the rotating shaft of the suction motor 150. When the suction motor 150 is driven so that the impeller is rotated together with the rotating shaft, the impeller can generate a suction force.

An suction flow path 129 may be formed in the cleaner main body 110. Foreign matter such as dust flows into the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning, from the surface to be cleaned, by the suction force generated by the driving force of the suction motor 150, and the foreign matter introduced into the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be introduced into the suction flow path 129.

The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may clean the floor surface to be cleaned when the cleaner main body 110 travels in the automatic mode. The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be disposed adjacent to the floor surface among the front side surface of the cleaner main body 110. A suction port for suctioning air may be formed on the bottom surface of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning. When the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning is coupled to the cleaner main body 110, the suction port may be disposed toward the floor surface.

The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be coupled to the cleaner main body 110 through a cable adaptor 118. The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may communicate with the suction flow path 129 of the cleaner main body 110 through the cable adaptor 118. The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be disposed below the dust container 140 disposed in the front portion of the cleaner main body 110.

The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may include a case having a suction port formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a brush unit may be rotatably installed in the case. The case may provide an empty space so that the brush unit can be rotatably installed therein. The brush unit may include a rotating shaft formed to be long in the left and right direction and a brush protruded to an outer circumference of the rotating shaft. The rotating shaft of the brush unit may be rotatably coupled to the left and right side surfaces of the case.

A case 121 and 122 of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may include a center case 121, and a side case 122 which is disposed respectively in both sides of the center case 121 and forms a left side surface and a right side surface of the case 121 and 122 of the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning. A suction port may be formed in the bottom surface portion of the center case 121. Both sides of the center case 121 may be opened, and the side case 122 on both sides may be respectively coupled to both sides of the center case 121 to cover both open sides of the center case 121.

The brush unit is disposed such that the brush protrudes through the suction port formed in the bottom of the case. When the suction motor 150 is driven, the brush unit is rotated by the suction force and can sweep upward dust and other foreign matter on the floor surface to be cleaned. The swept foreign matter may be sucked into the case by the suction force. Preferably, the brush is formed of a material that does not generate triboelectricity so that foreign matter can not easily adhere thereto.

The cable adaptor 118 may be coupled to the front surface of the cleaner main body 110. The cable adaptor 118 may connect the cleaner main body 110 and the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning. The cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning may be detachably coupled to the cable adaptor 118. The cable adaptor 118 can support the lower side of the dust container 140.

As described above, the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning is provided in a state of being in close contact with the floor surface to be cleaned, so that the floor surface can be automatically cleaned when the cleaner main body 110 travels in the automatic mode. However, when a user desires to manually perform the cleaning, the user inputs a manual mode travel of the cleaner main body 110 through the mode selection input unit provided in the cleaner main body 110. Then, the user may detach the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning from the cleaner main body 110, and may couple the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning to the cleaner main body 110 to perform manual cleaning. The cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning may include a long hose in the form of a bellows. In this case, the hose portion of the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning may be coupled to the cleaner main body 110.

When the user desires to use the cleaner 100 in the manual mode while using the cleaner 100 in the automatic mode, the user couples the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning, and moves the flow path blocking member 220 to block the air inflow from the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning. Hereinafter, dust collecting equipment which enables to easily perform switching between manual cleaning and automatic cleaning, has a simple structure, and does not suck unnecessary outside air will be described.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of dust collecting equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the dust collecting equipment shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the dust collecting equipment shown in FIG. 4 in a state in which a flow path blocking member 220 blocks a second suction port 144, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the dust collecting equipment shown in FIG. 4 in a state in which a flow path blocking member 220 blocks a first suction port 142.

Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 7, the dust collecting equipment of the present invention shows that the dust container 140 and the dust separation units 160, 170 are integrally formed. As another example, although not shown in the drawing, the dust container 140 and the dust separation unit 160, 170 may be separately formed. However, it is preferable that the dust separation unit 160, 170 is positioned inside the dust container 140 in order to save a space and switch between the automatic cleaning and the manual cleaning with a simple structure.

For example, the dust separation unit 160, 170 may include a first cyclone 160 which can separate dust by a cyclone flow. The first cyclone 160 may communicate with the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144. Air and dust sucked through the first suction port 142 or the second suction port 144 are spirally moved along the inner circumferential surface of the first cyclone 160. The axis A1 of the cyclone flow of the first cyclone 160 may extend vertically.

The dust separation unit 160, 170 may further include a second cyclone 170 which separates dust again from the air discharged from the first cyclone 160. At this time, the second cyclone 170 may be positioned inside the first cyclone 160 so that the size of the dust separation unit 160, 170 is minimized. The second cyclone 170 may include a plurality of cyclone bodies disposed in parallel. A cyclone flow axis of the second cyclone 170 may extend vertically.

As another example, it is also possible for the dust separation unit 160, 170 to have a single cyclone, In this case, the axis Al of the cyclone flow may also extend vertically.

The dust container 140 may be detachably coupled to the front surface of the cleaner main body 110 and the lower side thereof may be supported by the cable adaptor 118. The dust container 140 may include a hollow cylindrical case. The dust separation unit 160, 170 for separating foreign matter and air from the air sucked through the first suction port 142 or the second suction port 144 of the cleaner main body 110 may be disposed inside the cylindrical case. Foreign matter including the dust filtered by the dust separation unit 160, 170 may be dropped and accommodated into the dust container 140. At this time, only air may be discharged to the outside of the dust container 140 and moved to the suction motor 150 side due to the suction force of the suction motor 150, and then escape to the outside of the cleaner main body 110.

The dust container 140 includes a dust collecting body 146 having a cylindrical shape, a body cover 148 rotatably coupled to the lower side of the dust collecting body 146, and an upper cover 147 covering the upper side of the dust collecting body 146. In the present embodiment, it is also possible that the first cyclone 160 does not exist separately, and the upper portion of the dust collecting body 146 serves as the first cyclone 160. At least a part of the second cyclone 170 may be positioned in the dust container 140. The upper portion of the dust collecting body 146 may be defined as a cyclone flow space 11.

The dust collecting body 146 may define a cylindrical shape having a cyclone flow axis A1 as a central axis. The dust collecting body 146 forms a lateral surface of the dust container 140. Hereinafter, the lateral surface of the dust container 140 will refer to the dust collecting body 146.

A dust storage guide 504 for guiding the storage of the dust separated from the second cyclone 170 may be disposed in the dust collecting body 146. The dust storage guide 504 is coupled to the lower side of the second cyclone 170 and in contact with the upper surface of the body cover 148.

The dust storage guide 504 divides a space inside the dust collecting body 146 into a first dust storage unit 502 which stores the dust separated from the first cyclone 160 and a second dust storage unit 506 which stores the dust separated from the second cyclone 170.

An inner space of the dust storage guide 504 is the second dust storage unit 506 and a space between the dust storage guide 504 and the dust collecting body 146 is the first dust storage unit 502.

The body cover 148 may open and close the first dust storage unit 502 and the second dust storage unit 506 together.

The body cover 148 may be provided with a rib 521 for preventing the dust stored in the first dust storage unit 502 from being rotated by the cyclone flow. The ribs 521 may extend upwardly from the body cover 148. The rib 521 may be positioned adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 146 in a state in which the body cover 148 covers the first and second dust storage units 502 and 506.

Since the cyclone flow flows in the first dust storage unit 502 side along the inner circumferential surface of the dust collection body 146, when the rib 521 is positioned adjacent to the inner circumferential surface of the dust collecting body 146, the cyclone flow is broken by the rib 521 so that the dust stored in the first dust storage unit 502 can be prevented from rotating.

The user may separate the dust container 140 from the cleaner main body 110 and then open the body cover 148 to discard the foreign matter contained in the dust container 140. When the dust container 140 is coupled to the cleaner main body 110, the dust container 140 is placed on the cable adaptor 118. That is, the lid of the dust container 140 is placed on the upper side of the cable adaptor 118.

The dust collecting equipment may include a first suction port 142 for sucking an external air into the dust separation unit 160 and 170, a second suction port 144 for sucking an external air into the dust separation unit 160 and 170, a discharge port 143 through which the air inside the separation unit 160 and 170 is discharged, and a flow path blocking member 220 selectively covering the first and second suction ports 142 and 144.

The first suction port 142 is a space through which an external air is sucked into the dust separation unit 160, 170. The first suction port 142 may be formed on the lateral side (dust collecting body 146) of the dust container 140. The first suction port 142 may be formed on the lateral surface of the dust container 140 to reduce the height of the cleaner main body.

The first suction port 142 communicates with the cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning. Specifically, the first suction port 142 is coupled to the cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning by the suction flow path 129.

The second suction port 144 is a space through which an external air is sucked into the dust separation unit 160, 170. The second suction port 144 may be formed on the lateral surface (dust collecting body 146) of the dust container 140. The second suction port 144 may be formed on the lateral surface of the dust container 140 to reduce the height of the cleaner main body. The second suction port 144 communicates with the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320.

The discharge port 143 is a space through which the dust-separated air is discharged from the dust separation unit 160, 170. When the discharge port 143 is disposed in the upper surface of the dust container 140, the height of the cleaner is increased, so that the discharge port 143 is preferably located on the lateral side (dust collecting body 146) of the dust container 140.

The first suction port 142, the second suction port 144, and the discharge port 143 are formed by opening the dust collecting body 146 of the dust container 140. The first suction port 142, the second suction port 144, and the discharge port 143 are formed in the upper area of the dust collecting body 146.

The second suction port 144 and the discharge port 143 may be disposed adjacent to each other in the dust collecting body 146, and the first suction port 142 may be disposed apart from the second suction port 144 and the discharge port 143. The first suction port 142 may be formed on the front surface of the dust collecting body 146, and the second suction port 144 and the discharge port 143 may be formed on the lateral surface and/or the rear surface of the dust collecting body 146.

It is preferable that the second suction port 144 is exposed to the outside of the cleaner main body, because the user should detach the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320. It is preferable that the first suction port 142 and the discharge port 143 are disposed on the lateral surface and/or the rear surface of the dust collecting body 146, because the first suction port 142 and the discharge port 143 should be coupled to the cleaner main body.

The second suction port 144 may be a hole formed on a lateral surface of the dust container 140, or a pipe shaped hole protruding outward from the lateral surface of the dust container 140.

The dust container 140 may further include a partition wall for restricting mixing of air supplied through the discharge port 143 and air introduced through the air suction ports. Specifically, the partition wall restricts the mixing of air discharged from the second cyclone 170 and air flowing in the cyclone flow space 11 of the first cyclone 160.

The partition wall may be omitted when the discharge port 143 is disposed on the upper cover 147 of the dust container 140, and may be required when the discharge port 143 is located on the lateral side (the dust collecting body 146) of the dust container 140.

The partition wall isolates the cyclone flow space and the discharge port 143 from each other, and a space isolated by the partition wall communicates with the discharge port 143 and the second cyclone 170 and is isolated from the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144.

The flow path blocking member 220 selectively covers the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144. In this case, the expression “selectively covers” means that when the flow path blocking member 220 blocks the first suction port 142, the second suction port 144 is opened, and when the flow path blocking member 220 blocks the second suction port 144, the first suction port 142 is opened.

During automatic cleaning, the flow path blocking member 220 restricts the sucking of an external air through the first suction port 142 communicating with the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning, and allows the sucking of an external air through the second suction port 144 communicating with the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning. During manual cleaning, the flow path blocking member 220 allows the sucking of an external air through the first suction port 142 communicating with the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning, and restricts the sucking of an external air through the second suction port 144 communicating with the cleaning nozzle 120 for automatic cleaning.

The flow path blocking member 220 may operate in at least one of automatic, semi-automatic, and manual modes. The first embodiment is described on the basis that the flow path blocking member 220 is manually operated.

The flow path blocking member 220 may reciprocate between a first position for covering the first suction port 142 and a second position for covering the second suction port 144. The flow path blocking member 220 may directly block the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144, but may indirectly block the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Specifically, the flow path blocking member 220 may reciprocate between the first position for covering the first suction port 142, and the second position for covering a connection path 142a.

The connection path 142a is a space between the first suction port 142 and the cyclone flow space communicated with the second suction port 144. The flow path blocking member 220 may be formed in a plate shape, and may have a size larger than at least the first suction port 142.

The flow path blocking member 220 may move inside (specifically, in the cyclone flow space) the dust container 140. At this time, the dust collecting equipment further includes a lever 210 which is connected to the flow path blocking member 220 and at least a part of which is exposed to the outside of the dust container 140, and a guide hole 147a which guides the movement of the lever 210.

The lever 210 is exposed to the upper side of the upper cover 147 of the dust container 140, and may have a width larger than that of the guide hole 147a. The lever 210 has a larger width than the guide hole 147a so that the flow path blocking member 220 connected to the lever 210 can be supported in the guide hole 147a. The lever 210 and the flow path blocking member 220 are connected by a connecting member 211. The connecting member 211 is guided by the guide hole 147a. The lever 210 serves as a handle for allowing the user to move the flow path blocking member 220 located inside the dust container 140. The external force of the lever 210 is transmitted to the flow path blocking member 220.

The flow path blocking member 220 may have a width larger than the width of the guide hole 147a to prevent an external air from being introduced through the guide hole 147a.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the user operates the lever 210 to move the flow path blocking member 220 to the first position, the first suction port 142 is blocked, and the second suction port 144 is opened. When the flow path blocking member 220 is moved to the second position, the second suction port 144 is blocked, and the first suction port 142 is opened.

The air flow of the dust collecting equipment according to the position of the flow path blocking member 220 is as follows.

When the user operates the lever 210 to move the flow path blocking member 220 to the second position, the second suction port 144 is blocked by the flow path blocking member 220 and the first suction port 142 is opened. Here, the expression “suction port is opened” means that the suction port communicates with the cyclone flow space, and “suction port is closed” means that the suction port and the cyclone flow space are not communicated with each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, the air containing the dust introduced through the cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning flows into the inside (cyclone flow space 11) of the dust container 140 through the first suction port 142 to generate a cyclone flow, and the dust drops to the lower side of the dust container 140. The air that firstly removed dust is introduced into the second cyclone 170, and the dust is removed again to be discharged through the discharge port 143.

When the user operates the lever 210 to move the flow path blocking member 220 to the first position, the first suction port 142 is blocked and the second suction port 144 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 7, the air including the dust introduced through the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 flows into the inside (cyclone flow space 11) of the dust container 140 through the second suction port 144 to generate a cyclone flow, and the dust drops to the lower side of the dust container 140. The air that firstly removed dust is introduced into the second cyclone 170, and the dust is removed again to be discharged through the discharge port 143.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the flow of air in an automatic cleaning mode of a cleaner of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the user operates the lever 210 to move the flow path blocking member 220 to the second position, the second suction port 144 is blocked by the flow path blocking member 220, and the first suction port 142 is opened. The air containing the dust introduced through the cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning flows to the first suction port 142 through the suction flow path 129. The air that flowed into the first suction port 142 flows into the inside (cyclone flow space 11) of the dust container 140 to generate a cyclone flow, and the dust is separated. At this time, the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 is not coupled to the second suction port 144.

FIG. 9 is a view showing the flow of air in a manual cleaning mode of a cleaner of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the user operates the lever 210 to move the flow path blocking member 220 to the first position, the first suction port 142 is blocked and the second suction port 144 is opened. The user couples the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning to the second suction port 144, operates the cleaner, and performs manual cleaning.

The air containing the dust introduced through the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning flows into the inside (cyclone flow space 11) of the dust container 140 through the second suction port 144 to generate a cyclone flow, and the dust is separated.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of dust collecting equipment according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 10 from a different angle, FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional perspective view when a flow path blocking member of the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 10 is located in a first position, FIG. 13 is a perspective view when a flow path blocking member of the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 10 is located in a second position, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the dust collecting equipment of FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 10 to FIG. 14, the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the geometric layout of a flow path blocking member 220-1 is different and a movement guide 280 is further included. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and a configuration without special description will be considered as the same as the first embodiment.

The flow path blocking member 220-1 of the second embodiment may have a configuration for selectively blocking the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144 without interfering with the air flow inside the dust container 140. Specifically, since the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144 are disposed on the lateral surface of the dust container 140, and the lateral surface of the dust container 140 has a circular shape to generate a cyclone flow, the flow path blocking member 220-1 may have a shape corresponding to a part of the lateral surface (dust collecting body 146) of the dust container 140 and move along the lateral surface of the dust container 140.

More specifically, the flow path blocking member 220-1 may form at least a part of the circumferential surface, and may have the same curvature within a certain error range as the curvature of the inner or outer surface of the lateral surface of the dust container 140. The flow path blocking member 220-1 may have a part of a circumference having a cyclone flow axis A1 as the center, and may be moved in contact with the inner surface of the dust collecting body 146 or the outer surface of the dust collecting body 146. The flow path blocking member 220-1 may move along the circumference having a cyclone flow axis A1 as the center.

The flow path blocking member 220-1 may have a length obtained by adding the width of the first suction port 142 to the distance between the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144. At this time, the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144 are disposed at the same height in the dust collecting body 146, thereby reducing interference with the dust collecting body 146 during movement of the flow path blocking member 220-1. The height of the flow path blocking member 220-1 may be at least larger than the diameters of the first suction port 142 and the second suction port 144.

Although not shown in the drawing, when the flow path blocking member 220-1 is located in the second position, it is possible to restrict the coupling of the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port 144. When the flow path blocking member 220-1 is located in the first position, it is possible to allow the coupling of the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port 144.

The movement guide 280 guides the movement of the flow path blocking member 220-1. The movement guide 280 defines a space which protrudes from the dust collecting body 146 and into which at least one end of the movement guide 280 is inserted. The movement guide 280 may protrude from the outer surface of the dust collecting body 146 or protrude from the inner surface thereof.

Specifically, the movement guide 280 may define a space which protrudes from the outer surface of the dust collecting body 146 and into which one end of the flow path blocking member 220-1 is inserted between the dust collecting body 146 and the movement guide 280. The movement guide 280 may be vertically spaced apart from each other so that two movement guides 280 may be disposed. The movement guide 280 extends in the circumferential direction in the dust collecting body 146. The movement guide 280 may be equal to or smaller than the length of the flow path blocking member 220-1.

When the user operates the lever 210 or directly moves the flow path blocking member 220-1 to move the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the first position, the first suction port 142 is blocked, and the second suction port 144 is opened. The user couples the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 to the second suction port 144, operates the cleaner, and performs manual cleaning.

As shown in FIG. 12, during manual cleaning, the air containing the dust introduced through the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 flows to the inside (the cyclone flow space 11) of the dust container 140 through the second suction port 144 to generate a cyclone flow. At this time, the lower surface of a partition wall 162 of the cyclone flow space 11 is formed to be inclined downward as it progresses in the circumferential direction, thereby inducing the cyclone flow of the introduced air. The dust is firstly separated from the cyclone-flowed air, and the air from which dust is firstly separated flows into the second cyclone 170 to secondarily separate dust, and is discharged to the upper portion of the second cyclone 170. The air discharged through the second cyclone 170 is discharged to the discharge port 143 through a space inside the partition wall 162.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the user operates the lever 210 or the user directly moves the flow path blocking member 220-1 to move the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the second position, the second suction port 144 is blocked by the flow path blocking member 220-1, and the first suction port 142 is opened. The user operates the cleaner and performs automatic cleaning.

As shown in FIG. 14, during automatic cleaning, the air containing dust introduced through the cleaning nozzle for automatic cleaning flows to the first suction port 142 through the suction flow path 129. The air that flowed to the first suction port 142 flows into the inside (cyclone flow space 11) of the dust container 140 through the first suction port 142 to generate a cyclone flow. At this time, the lower surface of the partition wall 162 of the cyclone flow space 11 is formed to be inclined downward as it progresses in the circumferential direction, thereby inducing the cyclone flow of the introduced air. The dust is firstly separated from the cyclone-flowed air to the lower side, the air that separated firstly the dust is introduced into the second cyclone 170 to secondarily separate the dust, and then is discharged to the upper side of the second cyclone 170. The air discharged through the second cyclone 170 is discharged to the discharge port 143 through a space inside the partition wall 162.

FIG. 15 is a conceptual view showing a case where dust collecting equipment and a flow path blocking member are located in a second position according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a conceptual view showing a case where the flow path blocking member is located in a first position in FIG. 15, and a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled.

The third embodiment further includes an elastic member 240 and a coupling unit 144a in comparison with the second embodiment. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that when the flow path blocking member 220-1 automatically returns to its original position, the coupling unit 144a is blocked to restrict the coupling of the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning.

The coupling unit 144a is a space to which the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 is coupled. The coupling unit 144a may include at least one of a groove, a hole, a protrusion, and a hook. Although the coupling unit 144a is shown as a groove in FIG. 15, the coupling unit 144a is not limited thereto. Specifically, the coupling unit 144a may be a groove formed by a part of the rim of the second suction port 144 that is dented outwardy.

Specifically, the coupling unit 144a may be disposed around the second suction port 144. The coupling unit 144a may be covered by the flow path blocking member 220-1 when the flow path blocking member 220-1 is located in the second position.

The elastic member 240 provides an elastic force to return the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the first position or the second position. One end of the elastic member 240 may be coupled to one end of the flow path blocking member 220-1 and the other end of the elastic member 240 may be fixed to the dust collecting body 146.

Specifically, the elastic member 240 provides an elastic force to return the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the second position. As shown in FIG. 15, during automatic cleaning, the flow path blocking member is located in the second position due to the elastic force of the elastic member 240, and covers at least a part of the coupling unit 144a so that the coupling of the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port 144 is restricted.

As shown in FIG. 16, during manual cleaning, the flow path blocking member 220-1 is moved to the first position due to an external force. When the flow path blocking member 220-1 is located in the first position, the coupling of the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port 144 is allowed. Specifically, when the flow path blocking member 220-1 is positioned in the first position, the coupling unit 144a is exposed, and the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 is coupled to the coupling unit 144a around the second suction port 144.

When the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 is coupled to the coupling unit 144a around the second suction port 144, the elastic return of the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the second position is restricted due to the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port 144. The flow path blocking member 220-1 is caught by the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning 320 so that the return to the second position due to the elastic member 240 is restricted. When the coupling of the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port 144 is released, the flow path blocking member 220-1 may return to the second position due to the elastic force of the elastic member 240.

FIG. 17 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where dust collecting equipment and a flow path blocking member 220-1 are located in a second position according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where the flow path blocking member 220-1 is located in a first position in FIG. 17, and a cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning is coupled.

The fourth embodiment may further include an actuator 250 and a coupling sensor 252, in comparison with the third embodiment. The fourth embodiment detects that the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port 144 so that the flow path blocking member 220-1 automatically opens the second suction port 144 and closes the first suction port 142.

The actuator 250 may move the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the first position. Obviously, the second embodiment shows that the flow path blocking member 220-1 moves to the second position due to the elastic force of the elastic member 240. However, alternatively, the actuator 250 may move the flow path blocking members 220-1 to the first position and the second position. The actuator 250 may include various configurations for moving objects. For example, the actuator 250 may have a structure such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, a rack gear, or the like.

Specifically, the actuator 250 includes a motor and a gear connected to the rotation axis of the motor. A rack extending in the longitudinal direction of the flow path blocking member 220-1 may be formed in the flow path blocking member 220-1. The gear is coupled to the rack.

The coupling sensor 252 may detect that the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port 144, and may provide detection information to the controller or the actuator 250. The coupling sensor 252 may be implemented by various sensors for detecting an object, or implemented in the form of a switch that is energized by a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning.

When the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port 144, the actuator 250 may move the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the first position. When the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is disconnected from the second suction port 144, the actuator 250 may move the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the second position.

When it is detected that the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port 144, the controller may generate a signal for moving the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the first position, and generate a signal for changing the mode of cleaner main body into a manual mode. In the manual mode, the cleaner main body 110 may be manually moved while being dragged or pushed by the user's force.

When it is detected that the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning is disconnect from the second suction port 144, the controller may generate a signal for moving the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the second position, and generate a signal for changing the mode of cleaner main body into an automatic mode. In the automatic mode, the cleaner main body 110 may automatically move like a robot cleaner.

Alternatively, when the cleaning nozzle 320 for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port 144, the actuator 250 may move the flow path blocking member 220-1 to the first position. When the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is disconnect from the second suction port 144, the flow path blocking member 220-1 may be moved to the second position due to the elastic force of the elastic member 240.

Hereinabove, although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention claimed in the following claims.

Claims

A cleaner comprising:

a dust separation unit which separates dust from sucked air;

a dust container which stores the dust separated by the dust separation unit;

a first suction port through which an external air is sucked into the dust separation unit;

a second suction port through which the external air is sucked into the dust separation unit;

a discharge port through which air inside the dust separation unit is discharged; and

a flow path blocking member which selectively covers the first suction port and the second suction port.
The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the flow path blocking member reciprocates between a first position for covering the first suction port and a second position for covering the second suction port.
The cleaner of claim 1, further comprising a lever which is connected to the flow path blocking member and at least a part of the lever is exposed to the outside of the dust container.
The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the first suction port and the second suction port are formed on a lateral surface of the dust container.
The cleaner of claim 2, further comprising:

a movement guide which guides movement of the flow path blocking member; and

an elastic member which provides an elastic force to return the flow path blocking member to the second position.
The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the flow path blocking member restricts a coupling of a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port, when the flow path blocking member is located in a second position.
The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the flow path blocking member allows a coupling of a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port, when the flow path blocking member is located in a first position.
The cleaner of claim 1, wherein a coupling unit for coupling a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is formed around the second suction port,

wherein the flow path blocking member covers at least a part of the coupling unit when the flow path blocking member is located in a second position.
The cleaner of claim 8, wherein the flow path blocking member exposes the coupling unit when the flow path blocking member is positioned in a first position.
The cleaner of claim 5, wherein an elastic return of the flow path blocking member to the second position is restricted by a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port.
The cleaner of claim 5, wherein the flow path blocking member returns to the second position due to the elastic force of the elastic member, when the coupling of the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning coupled to the second suction port is released.
The cleaner of claim 5, further comprising an actuator which moves the flow path blocking member to the first position.
The cleaner of claim 12, further comprising a coupling sensor which detects that a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port,

wherein the actuator moves the flow path blocking member to the first position when the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port.
The cleaner of claim 12, further comprising a coupling sensor which detects that a cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is coupled to the second suction port,

wherein the actuator moves the flow blocking member to the second position when the cleaning nozzle for manual cleaning is disconnected from the second suction port.
The cleaner of claim 1, wherein the flow path blocking member has the same curvature, within a certain error range, as a curvature of an inner surface or an outer surface of a lateral surface of the dust container.