EP4378368A1

EP4378368A1 - Cleaner

Info

Publication number: EP4378368A1
Application number: EP22849874.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jaewon Jang; Yeongjae LEE; Minwoo Lee
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2021-07-27
Filing date: 2022-07-27
Publication date: 2024-06-05
Also published as: AU2022320385A1; TWI842021B; WO2023008898A1; TW202320692A

Abstract

Disclosed is a cleaner, including a main body having an operating part configured to receive a command and a main battery configured to supply power; and a cleaning module connected to the main body and configured to generate steam to clean a cleaning region, and the cleaning module may include: a cleaning module housing connected to the main body, forming an external appearance, and forming a space on an inside thereof; a heater disposed on an inside of the cleanining module housing and configured to generate steam from water; a water container disposed above the heater and configured to supply the water to the heater; and a heater disposition part recessed upward from a lower surface of the water container and allowing at least a part of the heater to be inserted thereinto. The present disclosure relates to a cleaner capable of preventing burns to a user even if the user comes into contact with the cleaning module since heat dissipated from the heater is shielded by the water container, and lowering a height of the cleaning module thanks to a special structure of the water container.

Description

The present application claims priority to US Patent Application No. 63/203,572, filed on July 21, 2021 , and Korea Patent Application No. 10-2021-0172186, filed on December 3, 2021 , the entire contents of which are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

[Technical Field]

The present disclosure relates to a cleaner, and more particularly to a portable vacuum cleaner with a removable cleaning module.

[Background Art]

In general, a cleaner refers to an electrical appliance that draws in small garbage or dust by sucking air using electricity and fills a dustbin provided in a product with the garbage or dust. Such a cleaner is generally called a vacuum cleaner.
The cleaners may be classified into a manual cleaner which is moved directly by a user to perform a cleaning operation, and an automatic cleaner which performs a cleaning operation while autonomously traveling. Depending on the shape of the cleaner, the manual cleaners may be classified into a canister cleaner, an upright cleaner, a handy cleaner, a stick cleaner, and the like.
The canister cleaners were widely used in the past as household cleaners. However, recently, there is an increasing tendency to use the handy cleaner and the stick cleaner in which a dustbin and a cleaner main body are integrally provided to improve convenience of use.
In the case of the canister cleaner, a main body and a suction port are connected by a rubber hose or pipe, and in some instances, the canister cleaner may be used in a state in which a brush is fitted into the suction port.
The handy cleaner (hand vacuum cleaner) has maximized portability and is light in weight. However, because the handy cleaner has a short length, there may be a limitation to a cleaning region. Therefore, the handy cleaner is used to clean a local place such as a desk, a sofa, or an interior of a vehicle.
A user may use the stick cleaner while standing and thus may perform a cleaning operation without bending his/her waist. Therefore, the stick cleaner is advantageous for the user to clean a wide region while moving in the region. The handy cleaner may be used to clean a narrow space, whereas the stick cleaner may be used to clean a wide space and a high place that the user's hand cannot reach. Recently, modularized stick cleaners are provided, such that types of cleaners are actively changed and used to clean various places.
Methods of cleaning floors are broadly classified into a dry-cleaning method and a wet-cleaning method. The dry-cleaning method refers to a method of wiping up or sucking dust, and a vacuum cleaner in the related art uses the dry-cleaning method. The wet-cleaning method refers to a method of performing a cleaning operation by wiping up the dust with a wet mop. As another wet-cleaning method, there is a method of sterilizing and cleaning a floor by producing and spraying high-temperature steam.
Recently, various cleaning methods have been proposed to cope with the use of various building materials. In the related art, because the floors are mainly made of wooden materials, only the dry-cleaning method is performed because the wet-cleaning method cannot be performed. However, recently, the floors are made of various materials such as steel sheets or marble, and therefore, the wet-cleaning method can be performed.
In the related art, a dry-cleaning dedicated cleaner is used to perform the dry-cleaning method, and a wet-cleaning dedicated cleaner is used to perform the wet-cleaning method. However, a user is inconvenienced because the user needs to purchase the two types of cleaners to clean various types of floors. To solve the above-mentioned problem, research has been conducted on a cleaner including a single main body, a dry-cleaning module, and a wet-cleaning module and configured such that the dry-cleaning module is mounted on the main body to perform the dry-cleaning method and the wet-cleaning module is mounted on the main body to perform the wet-cleaning method.
The wet-cleaning module includes a water container configured to store water, a heater configured to produce steam by heating water, and a mop configured to wipe a floor by receiving water or steam. The respective components may be configured into a single assembly so that the respective components may be easily replaced. For example, when the dry-cleaning module is mounted on the main body in a state in which the water container or the heater is disposed on the main body, the unnecessary component may hinder the cleaning operation. Therefore, the water container or the heater may be disposed on the wet-cleaning module instead of being mounted on the main body to ensure ease of cleaning, ease of module replacement, or spatial utilization.
As a patent document 1, an invention related to a heater device and a cleaner including the same is cited. The cleaner according to the patent document 1 includes a heater device having a heating casing configured to recive water from a water supply tank to generate steam.
According to the patent document 1, a water container is not a nozzle assembly, and is removably installed in a main body. In addition, a heater device configured to generate steam is installed in the main body, not in a nozzle assembly. The patent document 1 installed the water container and the heater device in the main body, rather than installing them in the nozzle assembly, so as to secure sufficient storage capacity of the water container and to reduce a size of the nozzle assembly to be smaller.
Since the patent document 1 allows the water container in the main body, the center of gravity is high, therefore there was a problem that an operation of the water container was difficult. In addition, since a distance between the heater and the mop is far, a heat loss was generated while the steam flows to the mop and sensitive electronic devices were damaged because of the lost heat.
As a patent document 2, an invention of a steam cleaner is cited. The patent document 2 may improve a steam generation efficiency with a reduced structure of a steam generation part, and may improve a cleaning efficiency by making a mop supplying steam rotate at both sides, which are left and right sides. However, similarly to the patent document 1, a water container and a heater of the patent document 2 are installed in a main body of the cleaner, not in a cleaning module, the patent document 2 has the same problem as that of the patent document 1.
As a patent document 3, an invention related to a steam mop vacuum cleaner is cited. In the patent document 3, dust is guided to a suction port disposed at a center by rotation of a brush around a water container, thereby the steam mop is maintained in a clean state, and cleaning with the steam mop is made possible. However, in case of the patent document 3, since heat generated in a heater is dissipated upward, there was a problem that the dissipated heat damaged sensitive electronic devices. In addition, since a height of the water container is lowered in order to lower a height of a cleaning module, a problem of reduced water storage capacity occurred.

[DISCLOSURE]

[Technical Problem]

The object of the present disclosure is conceived to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related art. That is, as described above, in the wet cleaninig module, a water container for storing water, and a heater for generating steam from the water are disposed as a must, and the object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner having a water container capable of securing the maximum water storage capacity in a state in which a height of the cleaning module designed to be as low as possible.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner capable of maintaining a center of gravity of a cleaning module to position at a center by making a water level at which an air hole is formed and a water level at which the air hole is not formed when water inside the water container is discharged correspond to each other.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner capable of preventing damage to the sensitive electronic devices such as a motor and a sensor disposed near the heater as heat dissipated from the heater is released outside of the cleaning module and burn to a user when an upper surface of the cleaning module is heated to a high temperature.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaner capable of preventing water droplets from falling to the heater, when dews are formed on an inner side surface of the water container.
The technical problem to be achieved by the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned technical problem, and other technical problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by ordinary-skilled persons in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description.

[Technical Solution]

One embodiment is a cleaner, including: a main body having an operating part configured to receive a command and a main battery configured to supply power; and a cleaning module connected to the main body and configured to generate steam to clean a cleaning region, and the cleaning module may include: a cleaning module housing connected to the main body, forming an external appearance, and forming a space on an inside thereof; a heater disposed on an inside of the cleanining module housing and configured to generate steam from water; a water container disposed above the heater and configured to supply the water to the heater; and a heater disposition part recessed upward from a lower surface of the water container and allowing at least a part of the heater to be inserted thereinto.
The heater disposition part may include: a first inclined surface extending rearward from one side of the lower surface of the water container and having a rear end disposed upward than a front end thereof; a second inclined surface extending rearward from the rear end of the first inclined surface and having a rear end disposed upward than a front end thereof; and a third inclined surface extending rearward from the rear end of the second inclined surface. At this time, a slope of the second inclined surface may be smaller than a slope of the first inclined surface, and a slope of the third inclined surface may be smaller than the slope of the second inclined surface.
The water container may include: a front storage part disposed at a front end thereof, forming an internal space allowing the water to be stored therein, and extending in left and right directions; a left storage part forming an internal space allowing the water to be stored therein and extending rearward along a left surface of the water container from a left end of the front storage part; and a right storage part forming an internal space allowing the water to be stored therein and extending rearward along a right surface of the water container from a right end of the front storage part.
The water container may include: a water drainage port formed at a front end thereof and configured to drain water; and an air hole formed at a rear end thereof and configured to allow outside air to be introduced thereinto by a negative pressure. At this time, the air hole may be disposed in an opposite direction of the water drainage port, based on an imaginary line divisioning the water container in left and right directions when viewed from a top.
The water container may include water supply holes formed on both sides thereof and allowing water to be supplied therefrom.
The cleaning module housing may include: a lower housing on which the heater is installed; and an upper housing coupled to the lower housing, spaced apart from the heater above the heater, and allowing the water container to be installed on an upper surface thereof. At this time, the upper housing may include a thermal insulation coating surface on an inner surface thereof opposing the heater.
Another embodiment is a cleaner, including: a main body having an operating part configured to receive a command and a main battery configured to supply power; and a cleaning module connected to the main body and configured to generate steam to clean a cleaning region.
The cleaning module may include: a cleaning module housing connected to the main body, forming an external appearance, and forming a space on an inside thereof; a heater disposed inside the cleanining module housing and configured to generate steam from water; a water container disposed above the heater and configured to supply the water to the heater. At this time, the water container may include: a storage part surrounding at least two or more side surfaces among four side surfaces of the heater and configured to store the water.
The heater may be disposed to be inclined from a ground surface, and the water container may include an inclined surface disposed to be parallel to an upper surface of the heater.
The storage part may include: a front storage part disposed on a front surface of the water container and extending in left and right directions; a left storage part extending rearward along a left surface of the water container from a left end of the front storage part; and a right storage part extending rearward along a right surface of the water container from a right end of the front storage part.
Other specifics of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

[Advantageous Effect]

There are one or more advantageous effects according to the cleaner of the present disclosure.
First, in the cleaner of the present disclosure, the water container is disposed above the heater and a heater disposition part allowing at least a part of the heater to be inserted thereinto is included, there is an effect of cleaning a narrow gap since a height of the cleaning module can be designed as low as possible.
Second, in the cleaner of the present disclosure, the water container includes a front storage part, a left storage part, and a right storage part, and the storage parts surround three side surfaces in three directions of the heater, there is an effect of preventing overheat of the nearby electronic devices since the heat dissipated in side directions is absorbed by the storage parts.
Third, in the cleaner of the present disclosure, the water container includes an air channel connecting the left storage part and the right storage part, there is an effect of making the center of gravity of the cleaning module position at a center all the time, since the water level of the storage part having no air hole and the water level of the storage part having an air hole corresponds to each other, even if the air hole is formed on only one side.
Fourth, since the heat dissipated by the heater has a characteristic of rising upward, and the water container is disposed above the heater and therefore, the water container is not overheated by the water stored in the water container, there is an effect of preventing the user from having a burn even if the user contacts the cleaning module.
Fifth, in the cleaner of the present disclosure, the heater disposition part forms a front downward inclined surface, the dews formed in the heater disposition part do not fall to the heater, but fall to a front end of the water container or the upper housing along the inclined surface, there is an effect of maximizing a performance of the heater.
The effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects and other effects which are not described herein may be conceived by those skilled in the art from the following description of the embodiments of the present invention.

[Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning module according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 2 is a front view of a cleaning module according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cleaning module according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 4 is a right side view of a cleaning module according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a cleaning module according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a cleaning module according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an internal configuration afte removing a water container and an upper housing from FIG. 3,
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of A part of FIG. 3,
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of B part of FIG. 3,
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a water container according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 11 is a view of a water container according to the present disclosure from a bottom of a water container,
FIG. 12 is a plan view of a water container according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 13 is a bottom view of a water container according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 14 is a right side view of a water container according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 15 is an exploded view of a water container according to the present disclosure,
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of C part of FIG. 12,
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of D part of FIG. 12,
FIG. 18 is a view schematically illustrating a water level inside a water container depending on presence of an air channel, and
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an upper housing.

[Mode for Invention]

Advantages and characteristics of the present disclosure and a method of achieving the advantages and characteristics will be clear by referring to exemplary embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to exemplary embodiment disclosed herein but will be implemented in various forms. The exemplary embodiments are provided by way of example only so that a person of ordinary skilled in the art can fully understand the disclosures of the present disclosure and the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appended claims. Like reference numerals generally denote like elements throughout the specification.
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings for explaining the cleaner will be described in detail.
The cleaner means a cleaning apparatus operated by the user manually. For example, the cleaner may mean a handy cleaner or a stick cleaner.
The cleaner may include a main body (not illustrated). The main body includes a suction motor (not illustrated) inside and is configured to provide a suction force to a cleaning module 100.
The main body may be connected to an extension tube 200. The main body may be connected to the cleaning module 100 through the extension tube 200. The main body may generate a suction force through the suction motor, and may provide a suction force to the cleaning module 100 through the extension tube 200. Outside dust may be introduced into the main body through the extension tube 200.
The main body forms an external appearance, and stores major constituent elements on an inside thereof. A dustbin, a dust separating part, a suction motor, a filter, a handle, an operating part, and a main battery may be provided in the main body.
The dustbin (not illustrated) is configured to store dust. The dustbin may be communicated with the dust separating part, and may store dust separated in the dust separating part.
The dust separating part (not illustrated) is communicated with the extension tube 200. The dust separating part may separate the dust sucked into an inside through the extension tube 200 from the air.
The dust separating part may be communicated with the dustbin. In more derail, the dust separating part may be disposed inside the dustbin. Therefore, the dust separated in the dust separating part may be collected in the dustbin and the air is discharged outside the dust separating part.
The dust separating part may be a cyclone configured to separate dust through the cyclonic flow.
The suction motor (not illustrated) is configured to generate a suction force for suctioning the air. The suction motor is accommodated in the main body. The suction motot is configured to generate a suction force by a rotation.
A filter (not illustrated) is configured to filter foreign substances contained in the flowing air. The filter may include a pre-filter or a HEPA filter.
The pre-filter is a filter disposed at an uppermost stream among the filters, is formed in a mesh shape, and filters physically big dust primarily. The pre-filter is configured to physically filter dusts bigger than a spacing of the mesh, and is a component which improves a life expectancy of other filters.
The HEPA is the abbreviation for the high efficiency particulate air filter, and is configured to filter fine dust. Generally, the HEPA filter filters fine dust by an electrtostatic force. The HEPA filter is disposed downstream of the pre-filter.
A main body handle (not illustrated) is configured to be gripped by a user. The main body handle may be formed to be similar to a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the main body handle 116 may be formed in a bent cylindrical shape.
The operating part (not illustrated) is configured to receive instructions from the user. The operating part may be configured with a plurality of buttons, and the operating part performs a command corresponding to a respective button, when the user presses a button. For example, the operating part may include an operation button, and a pause button.
A main battery (not illustrated) may be disposed in the main body. The main battery supplies electric energy to the cleaner, and is configured to supply electricity to each constituent elements of the cleaner including the suction motor.
The main battery may be separably coupled to the cleaner.
The main battery may supply electricity to the cleaning module 100. Alternatively, the cleaning module 100 may be supplied with the electricity from a sub battery.
The extension tube 200 is configured to guide the air sucked from the cleaning module 100 to the main body (not illustrated).
The extension tube 200 has one end communicated with the cleaning module 100, and the other end communicated with the main body. In more detail, a rear end of the extension tube 200 is connected to the main body, and a front end of the extension tube 200 is connected to a cleaning module housing 110.
The extension tube 200 is formed in a long cylindrical shape.
A rolling axis x is formed along a longitudinal direction of the extension tube 200. The rolling axis x is an imaginary line extending in forward and rearward directions, and the cleaning module 100 may roll about the rolling axis x.
The cleaner includes the cleaning module 100. The cleaning module 100 is configured to clean a cleaning region by sucking the outside air or generating steam.
The cleaning module 100 is connected to the main body. The cleaning module 100 may be directly connected to the main body, and may be indirectly connected to the main body through the extension tube 200.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning module 100 may include at least one or more mops 161. The mop 161 contains water, and is configured to wipe the floor to clean.
Referring to FIG. 2, the mop 161 may be provided as a pair on a right side and a left side of the cleaning module 160.
The mop 161 includes a rotation axis disposed perpendicular to the floor, and wipes the floor by rotating about the rotation axis to clean.
At this time, two or more mops 161 may rotate in different directions, thereby easing operation by the user. For example, in FIG. 2, a right mop 161 rotates in a clockwise direction (CW), and a left mop 161 rotates in a coutner-clockwise direction (CCW). Therefore, the pair of mops 161 may push the cleaning module forward by the frictional force, thereby the user may move the cleaner 100 forward more easily.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cleaning module 100 according to the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a front view of the cleaning module 100 according to the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cleaning module 100 according to the present disclosure, FIG. 4 is a right-side view of the cleaning module 100 according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the cleaning module 100 according to the present disclosure.
The cleaning module 100 is connected to the main body. Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning module 100 may be connected to the extension tube 200, and may be indirectly connected to the main body through the extension tube 200.
The sub battery 300 may be installed in the extension tube 200. In more detail, the sub battery 300 may be disposed at the front end of the extension tube 200. The sub battery 300 may be electrically connected to the cleaning module 100, and supply electricity to each constituent element disposed in the cleaning module 100.
The sub battery 300 may be electrically connected to the main battery. Therefore, the sub battery 300 may receive the electricity from the main battery.
The sub battery 300 may be connected to the main battery in series. Therefore, when the electric energy stored in the sub battery 300 is insufficient, the electricity of sufficient voltage may be supplied to the cleaning module 100 by connecting the sub battery 300 and the main battery in series.
The sub battery 300 may be connected to the main battery in parallel. Therefore, time to be taken for supplying the electricity to the cleaning module may be reduced.
The sub battery 300 may be disposed at the front end of the extension tube 200. Alternatively, the sub battery 300 may be disposed at a lower end of the extension tube 200. With this arrangement, a center of gravity of the cleaner assembly in which the cleaning module 100 and the sub battery 300 are combined is disposed at a lower portion, thereby the steering of the cleaner may be carried out easily.
The sub battery 300 may be disposed on the extension tube 200. In more detail, the sub battery 300 may be disposed at an upper position than an imaginary line extending in a longitudinal direction of the extension tube 200 from a center of the extension tube 200.
The cleaning module housing 110 forms an external appearance of the cleaning module 100, and a space for accommodating other constituent elements on an inside thereof.
The cleaning module housing 110 is connected to the main body. Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning module housing 110 is connected to the front end of the extension tube 200, and a rear end of the extension tube 200 is connected to the main body, thereby the cleaning module housing 110 is indirectly connected to the main body through the extension tube 200. Unlike this, though not illustrated, the cleaning module housing 110 may be directly connected to the main body.
The meaning of the above-mentioned 'connection' may be interpreted in various ways. For example, in the cleaning module housing 110, an air flow passage and the main body may be connected to each other, and air containing dust may flow to the main body through the the cleaning module housing 110. Alternatively, the cleaning module housing 110 may be electrically connected to the main body, and an electric current may flow from the main battery disposed in the main body to the cleaning module housing 110.
The water container 120 may be mounted on an upper surface of the cleaning module housing 110.
On a front surface of the cleaning module housing 110, an air inlet 111 is formed and allows outside air to be introduced into an inside of the cleaning module housing 110 therethrough.
In a bottom of the front surface of the cleaning module housing 110, a light emitting module 150 may be disposed to irradiate light toward a floor in a forward direction.
An air outlet 1121 may be formed on a side surface of the cleaning module housing 110 so as to discharge air inside the cleaning module housing 110 to the outside therethrough.
On a lower surface of the cleaning module housing 110, a mop is disposed. The mop may wipe to wet clean a floor surface.
On the lower surface of the cleaning module housing 110, a suction inlet 181 is disposed. The suction inlet 181 may suction dust on the floor to dry clean the floor.
On the lower surface of the cleaning module housing 110, a shielding member 170 may be disposed. The shielding member 170 shields a front space in which the suction inlet 181 is disposed from a rear space in which the mop 161 is disposed, thereby shielding steam released from the mop 161 from dispersing to the suction inlet 181.
The cleaning module housing 110 may be divided into an upper housing 111 and a lower housing 112.
The lower housing 112 forms a bottom surface and a part of the side surface of the cleaning module 100.
A heater 130 may be installed on an upper surface of the lower housing 111.
On a front surface of the lower housing 111, the air inlet 111 is formed.
The light emitting module 150 is formed in the lower housing 111, and a hole through which light passes is formed on the front surface thereof. The hole through which light passes is formed below the air inlet 111.
The mop is disposed on a bottom surface of the lower housing 111. On one side of the bottom surface of the lower housing 111, a groove recessed upward is formed so that the mop can be disposed therein.
On the bottom surface of the lower housing 111, the suction inlet 181 is disposed. The suction inlet 181 is disposed in front of the mop 161.
A plurality of constituent elements for driving the cleaning module 100 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower housing 111.
On the upper surface of the lower housing 111, a lower partition wall is formed. The lower partition wall 1112 is disposed in a periphery of the heater 130 and blocks heat dissipated from the heater 130 from dissipating to the outside.
The lower partition wall 1112 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lower housing 111. An upper end of the lower partition wall 1112 faces a lower end of an upper partition wall 1122, and therefore, isolates an internal space in which the heater 130 is disposed from an outside space in which other elements are disposed.
On a lower surface of the lower housing 111, a shielding member insertion groove 1113 is formed. Into the shielding member insertion groove 1113, the shielding member 170 is inserted.
The upper housing 112 forms an upper surface and a part of the side surface of the cleaning module 100.
The upper housing 112 is coupled to the lower housing 111, spaced apart from the heater 130 on an upper side of the heater 130, and allows the water container 120 to be installed on the upper surface thereof.
The air outlet 1121 is formed on a side surface of the upper housing 112.
The upper housing 112 is spaced apart from the heater 130. The heat dissipated from the heater 130 convects and reaches the upper housing 112.
The upper partition wall 1122 is formed in the upper housing 112. The upper partition wall 1122 is disposed on an inner surface of the upper housing 112, and extends downward toward the heater 130. The upper partition wall 1122 surrounds at least a part of the side surface of the heater 130, and therefore, blocks the heat dissipated from the heater 130 from convecting in side directions.
In the upper housing 112, a release button 1123 is disposed. The release button 1123 is caught by a catching hook 125 formed in the water container to fix the water container 120 in position. When the release button 1123 operates, the release button 1123 descends, catching of the catching hook 125 is released and the water container 120 is removed.
The release button 1123 may be disposed in an extension tube disposition part 127 of the water container 120.
In the upper housing 112, a thermal insulation coating surface 1124 is formed on an inner surface facing the heater 130. The thermal insulation coating surface 1124 blocks heat dissipated from the heater 130 from being delivered to the upper housing 112.
The thermal insulation coating surface 1124 is disposed in a region which is divided by the upper partition wall 1122 among the inner surface of the upper housing 112. Therefore, the thermal insulation coating surface 1124 blocks heat dissipated upward from the heater 130 from being delivered to the upper housing 112.
The upper housing 112 includes a water container seating portion 1125. The water container seating portion 1125 is a groove recessed downward from an upper surface of the upper housing 112. The water container 120 is seated in the water container seating portion 1125 to be installed in the upper housing 112.
The water container seating portion 1125 may be divided into storage part insertion grooves 1125a to 1125c, an air channel insertion portion 1125d, and a guide protrusion 1125e.
The storage part insertion grooves 1125a to 1125c are grooves into which the storage part 123 is inserted to be seated therein of the water container 120. When viewed from the top, the storage part insertion grooves 1125a to 1125c may be formed in a U-shape with an open rear surface.
The front storage part insertion groove 1125a is formed in the front end of the water container seating portion 1125, and extends to the left and to the right. A front storage part 123a is inserted into the front storage part insertion groove 1125a to be seated therein.
The left storage part insertion groove 1125b extends rearward from a left end of the front storage part insertion groove 1125a. A left storage part 123b is inserted into the left storage part insertion groove 1125b to be seated therein.
The right storage part insertion groove 1125c extends rearward from a right end of the front storage part insertion groove 1125a. A right storage part 123c is inserted into the right storage part insertion groove 1125c to be seated therein.
In a connecting portion between the front storage part insertion groove 1125a and the right storage part insertion groove 1125c, a through hole is formed at a position vertically overlapping a water drainage port 122 of the water container 120.
An air channel insertion groove 1125d is a groove into which an air channel 128 formed in the water container 120 is inserted. When the water container 120 is mounted, the air channel insertion groove 1125d is disposed to vertically overlap the air channel 128 formed in the water container 120. The air channel insertion groove 1125d extends to the left storage part insertion groove 1125b and the right storage part insertion groove 1125c.
The guide protrusion 1125e is configured to guide the water container 120 to a proper position when the water container 120 is inserted into the water container seating portion 1125. In the water container 120, a groove for guiding the guide protrusion 1125e is formed at a position corresponding to the guide protrusion 1125e.
Referring to FIG. 19, the guide protrusion 1125e is formed at a rear end of the right storage part insertion groove 1125c. Alternatively, though not illustrated, the guide protrusion 1125e may be formed at a rear end of the left storage part insertion groove 1125b.
It is prefarable that the guide protrusion 1125e is formed either in the right storage part insertion groove 1125c or the left storage part insertion groove 1125b. This is to secure a storage capacity of the storage part 123 of a certain level or more.
The heater disposition part 1126 is disposed in the upper housing 112. The heater disposition part 1126 of the upper housing 112 is formed to correspond to a heater disposition part 126 of the water container 120. That is, a first inclined surface 1126a of the heater disposition part 1126 of the upper housing 112 corresponds to a first inclined surface 126a of the heater disposition part 126 of the water container 120, a second inclined surface 1126b of the heater disposition part 1126 of the upper housing 126 corresponds to a second inclined surface 126b of the heater disposition part 126 of the water container 120, and a third inclined surface 1126c of the heater disposition part 1126 of the upper housing 126 corresponds to a third inclined surface 126c of the heater disposition part 126 of the water container 120. Therefore, water droplets formed in the heater disposition part 1126 of the upper housing 112 do not fall to the heater 130, but flow down along the first inclined surface 1126a to the third inclined surface 1126c.
The heater 130 is configured to generate steam from water.
The heater 130 is disposed inside the cleaning module housing 110. In more detail, the heater 130 is installed on the upper surface of the lower housing 111.
A water inlet 131 is a hole formed at an entrance end of the heater 130. Through the water inlet 131, water is introduced into the heater 130. The water inlet 131 is connected to a heater hose 143.
A steam outlet 132 is a hole formed at an exit end of the heater 130. Through the steam outlet 132, steam is discharged from the heater 130. The steam outlet 132 is connected to the mop.
The water inlet 131 is disposed at an upper position than the steam outlet 132. Therefore, water is heated while flowing from an upper side to a lower side, and is phase-shifted into steam.
The heater 130 is disposed to incline. In more detail, the heater 130 is inclined at a regular angle with respect to the ground surface.
A rear end of the heater 130 is disposed at an upper position than a front end of the heater 130. That is, the heater 130 has a rear upward inclination. Therefore, water is heated while flowing from a rear upward direction to a front downward direction, and is phase-shifted into steam.
The water container 120 is configured to supply water to the heater 130. The water container 120 stores water, and the stored water is introduced into the heater 130, and is phse-shifted into steam.
The water container 120 is disposed in the housing. In more detail, the water container 120 is seated in the water container seating portion 1125 formed in the upper housing 112.
The water container 120 is disposed above the heater 130. In more detail, the water container 120 is spaced apart from the heater 130 above the heater 130.
The water container 120 may be disposed above the heater 130 with the upper housing 112 therebetween.
The water container 120 includes a water supply hole 121. The water supply hole 121 is a hole allowing water to be introduced into an inside of the water container 120. The water supply hole is formed on a side surface of the water container 120. The water supply hole may be formed at both sides of the water container 120.
The water container 120 includes the water drainage port 122. The water drainage port 122 is a hole through which water stored in the water container 120 is discharged. The water discharged from the water drainage port 122 flows to the heater 130. The water drainage port 122 is formed on a lower surface of the water container 120. The water drainage port 122 may be disposed in a connecting portion between the front storage part 123a and the right storage part 123c.
The water container 120 includes the storage part 123. The storage part 123 is an internal space of the water container 120, in which water can be stored. When the water container 120 is viewed fron the top, the storage part 123 may be formed in a U-shape with an open rear side. The storage part 123 may be divided into the the front storage part 123a, the left storage part 123b, and the right storage part 123c.
The water container includes an air hole 124. The air hole 124 is a hole allowing air to be introduced into an inside of the water container 120. When the water stored inside the water container 120 is discharged outside, a pressure inside the water container 120 falls, and in order to compensate the fallen pressure, air is introduced into the inside of the water container 120 through the air hole 124.
The air hole 124 is formed at an upper end of the water container 120. In more detail, the air hole 124 may be formed at a rear end of the left storage part 123b. Unlike this, the air hole 124 may be formed at a rear end of the right storage part 123c.
The catching hook 125 is configured to fix the water container 120 in the upper housing 112. The catching hook 125 is caught by the release button 1123 and is fixed in position.
The catching hook 125 is formed in a rear end of the water container 120. In more detail, the catching hook 125 is formed in the extension tube disposition part 127.
The heater disposition part 126 is configured to form a space into which at least a part of the heater 130 is inserted. The heater disposition part 126 is a surface, which vertically overlaps the heater 130, of the lower surface of the water container 120.
Referring to FIG. 11, the heater disposition part 126 is recessed upward from the lower surface of the water container 120. Since at least a part of the heater 130 is inserted into the recessed groove of the heater disposition part 126, a height of the cleaning module 100 may be lowered.
The heater disposition part 126 may be formed in a shape similar to a quadreangle. In more detail, the heater disposition part 126 may be formed in a shape of a quadrangle, and may be formed with each edge which is not bent, but a curved surface.
The storage part 123 may be formed in a U-shape, and the heater disposition part 126 may be surrounded by the storage part 123. With this arrangement, heat dissipated upward from the heater 130 may be blocked by the heater disposition part 126, and heat dissipated in side directions from the heater 130 may be blocked by the storage part 123.
When viewed from the top, an area projected to the ground surface from the heater disposition part 126 is greater than an area projected to the ground surface from the heater 130. With this arrangement, the droplets formed in the heater disposition part 126 do not fall to the heater 130, but fall to the outside of the heater 130. Therefore, performance deterioration caused by the the droplets fallen to the heater 130 can be prevented.
Referring to FIG. 9, the heater disposition part 126 may be divided into a plurality of inclined surfaces. In more detail, the heater disposition part 126 includes the first inclined surface 126a, the second inclined surface 126b, and the third inclined surface 126c.
The first inclined surface 126a extends rearward from one side of the lower surface of the water container 120, and a rear end thereof is disposed at an upper position than a front end thereof. That is, the first inclined surface 126a has a rear upward inclination.
Referring to FIG. 11, the lower surface of the water container 120 may have a plane in which the water drainage port 122 is disposed, and the first inclined surface 126a extends rearward from a rear end of the plane.
The second inclined surface 126b extends rearward fron a rear end of the first inclined surface 126a, and a rear end thereof is disposed at an upper position than a front end thereof. That is, the second inclined surface 126b has a rear upward inclination.
The third inclined surface 126c extends rearward from a rear end of the second inclined surface 126b. Referring to FIG. 9, the third inclined surface 126c may be formed as a plane parallel to the ground surface, however, unlike the illustration in FIG. 9, the third inclined surface 126c may have a rear upward inclination.
The slope is defined as an angle of the inclined surface with respect to the ground surface. The slope of the second inclined surface 126b is smaller than the slope of the first inclined surface 126a. The slope of the third inclined surface 126c is smaller than the slope of the second inclined surface.
With this arrangement, the droplets formed on the third inclined surface fall along the second inclined surface 126b and the first inclined surface 126a, and do not fall to the heater 130, and therefore, there is an effect of preventing deterioration of the performance of the heater 130.
The heater 130 is disposed to be inclined from the ground surface, and the water container 120 includes the inclined surface disposed to be parallel to an upper surface of the heater 130. In more detail, referring to FIG. 9, the second inclined surface 126b may be disposed to be parallel to the heater 130. With this arrangement, heat dissipated in a vertical direction of the upper surface from the upper surface of the heater 130 reaches the second inclined surface 126b evenly, and may evenly heat the second inclined surface 126b. Therefore, there is an effect of preventing one side of the water container 120 from being overheated and damaged.
The water container 120 includes the storage part 123 in whch water is stored. The storage part 123 may be divided into the front storage part 123a, the left storage part 123b, and the right storage part 123c.
The front storage part 123a is disposed at the front end of the water container 120, and extends to the left and the right.
The front storage part 123a blocks heat dissipated forward from the heater 130 from dissipating in a forward direction of the cleaning module 100.
The left storage part 123b extends rearward from a left end of the front storage part 123a along a left surface of the water container 120.
The left storage part 123b blocks heat dissipated in a left direction from the heater 130 from dissipating in a left direction of the cleaning module 100.
The right storage part 123c extends rearward from a right end of the front storage part 123a along a right surface of the water container 120.
The right storage part 123c blocks heat dissipated in a right direction from the heater 130 from dissipating in a right direction of the cleaning module 100.
The front storage part 123a, the left storage part 123b, and the right storage part 123c form a U-shape having an open rear side when viewed from a top. The cleaning module 100 is based on an assumption of cleaning while moving forward, therefore, it is not necessary to cool a rear side of the heater. Therefore, it is preferable that the front storage part 123a, the left storage part 123b, and the right storage part 123c form a U-shape which surrounds the front, the left and the right sides.
A cross sectional area of the front storage part 123a when viewed from the right side may be formed to be smaller than a cross sectional area of the left storage part 123b when viewed from the front side, or a cross sectional area of the right storage part 123c when viewed from the front side. This is to make a length of the cleaning module 100 in forward and rearward directions be smaller. However, with this arrangement, there may occur an imbalance between the water levels of the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c, and the air channel 128 may be formed to address this problem.
When viewed from one side, at least one among the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c has a front end disposed at a lower position than a rear end thereof. Referring to FIG. 14, the right storage part 123c of the water container 120 has a front end disposed at a lower position than a rear end, and though not illustrated, the left storage part 123b of the water container 120 has a front end disposed at a lower position than a rear end thereof. With this configuration, air pockets are formed at rear ends of the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c.
The storage part 123 surrounds at least two or more side surfaces among four side surfaces in four directions of the heater 130. In more detail, the front storage part 123a is disposed in front of the heater 130, the left storage part 123b is disposed on a left side of the heater 130, and the right storage part 123c is disposed on a right side of the heater 130, therefore, the storage part 123 surrounds three side surfaces of the heater 130. With this arrangement, the storage part 123 blocks heat dissipated in side directions from dissipating outside the cleaning module 100.
The water drainage port 122 is formed in at least one among the connecting portion between the front storage part 123a and the left storage part 123b and the connecting portion between the front storage part 123a and the right storage part 123c. Referring to FIG. 10, the water drainage port 122 is formed in the connecting portion between the front storage part 123a and the right storage part 123c. Unlike this as illustrated in FIG. 10, the water drainage port 122 may be formed in the connecting portion between the front storagte part 123a and the left storage part 123b.
The water drainage port 122 is connected to a tank hose 142. An entrance end of the tank hose 142 is connected to the water drainage port 122, and an exit end of the tank hose 142 is connected to a feedwater pump 141. Water stored in the water container 120 flows to the tank hose 142 by the gravity, and is pressure-fed to the heater 130 through a heater hose 143 by the feedwater pump 141.
When water is discharged, the air hole 124 forms a passageway, into which the outside air is introduced by a negative pressure. That is, when the water stored inside the water container 120 is discharged outside, a pressure inside the water container 120 drops, and as air is introduced into the inside of the water container 120 through the air hole 124 so as to compensate the dropped pressure, the air pocket is formed.
The air hole 124 is alternatively formed in one among the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c. The air hole 124 forms the air pocket in one among the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c. In the storage part 123 in which the air hole 124 is not formed, among the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c, the air pocket is formed by the air hole 128. For example, referring to FIG. 18, the air hole 124 is formed in the left storage part 123b, the air pocket is formed primarily in the left storage part 123b, and since a part of the air forming the air pocket flows to the left storage part 123c through the air channel 128, the air pocket is formed secondarily in the right storage part 123c, thereby the water levels of the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c correspond to each other.
If the air channel 128 is not formed in the water container, the air hole 124 must be formed both in the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c.
The water drainage port 122 is formed in the front end of the water container 120, and the air hole 124 is formed in the rear end of the water container 120. That is, the water stored in the water container 120 is discharged to the front end of the water container 120 while flowing in the forward direction, and the air is diffused in the forward direction while being introduced into the rear end of the water container 120.
A part of an upper surface of the water drainage port 122 is parallel to the ground surface and the air hole 124 and the air channel 128 are formed along the upper surface of the water drainage port 122. Referring to FIG. 9, an upper end of the air channel 128 may be disposed at an upper position than an upper end of the air hole 124. With this arrangement, if the air pocket is formed in the left storage part 123b, the air can instantly move to the right storage part 123c by the air channel 128, and the air pocket may be formed rapidly in the right storage part 123c.
When viewed from the top, based on an imaginary line dividing the water container 120 in the left and right directions, the air hole 124 is disposed in a direction opposite to the water drainage port 122. Referring to FIG. 12, the imaginary line dividing the water container 120 in the left and right directions is a cross sectional line C-C, and corresponds to the rolling axis x of the cleaning module 100. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, when viewed from the top, the water drainage port 122 is disposed on a right side of the rolling axis and the air hole 124 is disposed on a left side of the rolling axis. With this configuration, the air hole 124 and the water drainage port 122 are disposed farthest from the storage part 123, therefore, there is an effect of discharging all the water stored inside the water container 120 without a loss.
Unlike the illustration in FIGS. 12 and 13, when viewed from the top, based on the imaginary line dividing the water container 120 to the left and the right, the air hole 124 may be disposed in the same direction as a direction of the water drainage port 122.
The water supply hole 121 is a hole configured to allow the water to be supplied to the water container 120 to pass therethrough.
The water supply holes 121 are formed at both sides of the water container 120.
After closing a left water supply hole 121 and opening a right water supply hole 121, water can be supplied to the right water supply hole 121.
Alternatively, after closing the right water supply hole 121 and opening the left water supply hole 121, water can be supplied to the left water supply hole 121.
Alternatively, after making the front end of the water container 120 be disposed at an upper position, the rear end of the water container 120 be disposed at a lower position, and opening both water supply holes 121, water can be supplied to any one water supply hole 121. In this case, water is supplied to any one water supply hole 121 and at the same time, air is discharged through the other water supply hole 121, water can be rapidly supplied.
A cap is installed in the water supply hole 121, and water can be supplied to the water supply hole 121 after removing the cap. The cap may be formed of an elastic material such as rubber and the like.
Referring to FIG. 12, the extension tube disposition part 127 forms a space into which at least a part of the extension tube is inserted. As the extension tube disposition part 127 is formed in the water container 120, there is an effect of decreasing a length from the front end to the rear end of the cleaning module 100.
The extension tube disposition part 127 is formed to be recessed forward from one side of the rear surface of the water container 120.
The extension tube disposition part 127 is disposed on a right side of the left storage part 123b, a left side of the right storage part 123c, and a rear side of the heater disposition part 126.
The air channel 128 is configured to adjust the water levels of the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c. The air channel 128 is disposed on the rear side of the front storage part 123a, and connects the left storage part and the right storage part 123c.
For example, if the air hole 124 is formed in the left storage part 123b, the air pocket is formed in the left storage part 123b. At this time, according to the related art, referring to FIG. 18a, as air is introduced into the left storage part 123b, the water level of the left storage part 123b is lowered to H1', while the water level of the right storage part 123c is maintained to be at H2' since the air pocket is not formed, and the center of gravity of the cleaning module may be tilted toward the right storage part 123c. Further, depending on cases, a vacuum may be formed in the right storage part 123c.
On the contrary, according to the present disclosure, referring to FIG.18b, air of the air pocket in the left storage part 123b moves to the right storage part 123c through the air channel 128, and forms the air pocket in the right storage part 123c. Therefore, there is an effect of maintaining the water level H1 of the left storage part and the water level H2 of the right storage part to be the same.
The air channel 128 is disposed at an upper end of the storage part 123. An upper surface of the water container 120 may be formed as a plane parallel to the ground surface, and the air channel 128 may be formed on the upper surface of the water container 120.
When viewed from a side direction, the air channel 128 is disposed between the water drainage port 122 and the air hole 124.
The feedwater pump 141 is configured to flow water inside the cleaning module 100. The feedwater pump 141 pressure-feeds water inside the water container 120 to the heater 130 by pressing the water. An entrance end of the feedwater pump 141 is connected to an exit end of the tank hose 142, and an exit end of the feedwater pump 141 is connected to the heater hose 143.
The tank hose 142 connects the water container and the feedwater pump 141 to each other. The tank hose 142 guides water stored in the water container 120 to the feedwater pump 141.
The heater hose 143 connects the feedwater pump 141 and the heater 130 to each other. The heater hose 143 guides water pressed by the feedwater pump 141 to the heater 130.
The light emitting module 150 is configured to illuminate the front of the cleaning module 100 and identify foreign substances present in front of the cleaning module 100. The light emitting module 150 irradiates light to the front floor of the cleaning module 100.
The light emitting module 150 may be disposed behind the air inlet 1112. With this arrangement, the light emitting module 150 may be cooled by the air introduced from the air inlet 1112.
The light emitting module 150 may be disposed in plurality along the front surface to the left or to the right.
The light emitting module 150 may be configured with a light emitting member 151 and a diffuser plate 152.
The light emitting member 151 may be configured with a plurality of LEDs. The light emitting member 151 may irradiate light forward or downward.
The diffuser plate 152 is disposed in a forward direction of the light emitting member 151, and diffuses light irradiated from the light emitting member 151.
A mop assembly 160 is configured to clean a floor surface with water or steam. The mop assembly 160 is supplied with steam from the heater 130, and wet cleans the floor surface using friction and steam.
The mop assembly 160 may be configured with the mop 161 and a mop motor 162.
The mop 161 is disposed on a lower surface of the lower housing 111. In more detail, in the lower housing 111, grooves recessed upward are formed so that the mop 161 can be disposed therein, and the mop 161 is installed in the lower housing 111 as at least a part of the mop 161 is inserted into the groove.
The mop 161 may be in a circular shape when viewed from the top. At the center of the mop 161, a rotation axis that vertically extends is formed. The mop 161 may clean the floor surface using friction while rotating about the rotation axis.
The mop 161 may be disposed as a pair disposed on left and right sides about the rolling axis x.
The mop motor 162 is configured to rotate the mop 161. The mop motor 162 is disposed above the mop 161, and is disposed on the rotation axis of the mop 161.
The mop motor 162 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower housing 111.
The mop motor 162 is disposed to correspond to the number of the mops 161. The mop motor 162 may be provided as a pair disposed on the left and the right sides about the rolling axis x.
The mop motor 162 is disposed in a side direction of the heater 130. The upper partition wall 1122 or the lower partition wall 1112 is disposed between the mop motor 162 and the heater 130, and blocks heat of the heater 130 from being delivered to the mop motor 162.
The shielding member 170 shields a front space in which the suction inlet 181 is disposed from a rear space in which the mop 161 is disposed, thereby shielding steam released from the mop 161 from dispersing to the suction inlet 181.
A dust flow passage 180 is a flow passage through which air containing dust flows inside the cleaning module 100. An entrance end of the dust flow passage 180 is connected to the suction inlet 181, and an exit end of the dust flow passage 180 is connected to the extension tube 200.
The suction inlet 181 is a hole into which dust and air present in the cleaning region is introduced to flow to the inside of the cleaning module 180.
The suction inlet 181 is formed in a front end of the lower surface of the lower housing 111. The suction inlet 181 is disposed between the left mop 161 and the right mop 161.
A PCB 190 is a board on which a control unit (not illustrated) for controlling the cleaning module 100 is disposed, the electric current can flow, and the communication lines can be placed.
The PCB 190 and components installed on the PCB 190 have the characteristic of being vulnerable to heat, and can be cooled by air introduced into the air inlet 1111 and being discharged through the air outlet 1121.
Advantages of the cleaner according to the present disclosure configured as above are described as below.
The water container 120 is disposed above the heater 130, and is spaced apart from the heater 130. Heat dissipated from the heater 130 has a characteristic of rising, and since the water container 120 is disposed above the heater 130, the water container 120 prevents heat from dissipating upward of the cleaning module 100. Further, since the water container 120 is spaced apart from the heater 130, and heat dissipated from the heater 130 is convected to the water container 120 and then transferred by conduction, there is an advantage that the user does not get burned even if he or she comes into contact with the cleaning module 100.
The water container 120 is recessed upward from the lower surface, and includes the heater disposition part 126, into which at least a part of the heater 130 is inserted. There is a concern of the height of the cleaning module being increased since the water container 120 is disposed in the cleanining module 100, however, since at least a part of the heater 130 is inserted into the heater disposition part 126, there is an advantage of becoming capable of easily cleaning a narrow gap by lowering the height of the cleaning module 100 more.
The water container 120 includes the front storage part 123a, the left storage part 123b, and the left storage part 123c, and the storage part 123 is disposed to surround three side surfaces of the heater 130. Therefore, there is an advantage that the heat dissipated in side directions is absorbed by the storage part 123 and does not overheat nearby electronic devices.
The water container 120 provides the air channel 128 connecting the left storage part 123b and the right storage part 123c to each other. Referring to FIG. 18b, there is also an advantage that the center of gravity of the cleaning module 100 always positions at the center, since even if the air hole 124 is formed only in the left storage part 123b, the air in the air pocket formed in the left storage part 123b moves to the right storage part 123c through the air channel 128 and forms an air pocket in the right storage part 123c, and the water level H1 of the left storage part and the water level H2 of the right storage part correspond to each other.
The first inclined surface 126a and the second inclined surface 126b of the heater disposition part 126 form front downward inclined surfaces. Therefore, dews formed in the heater disposition part 126 do not fall to the heater 130, but fall to the front end of the water container 120 along the inclined surfaces. Similarly, dews formed in the first inclined surface 126a and the second inclined surface of the upper housing 112 fall to the front end of the upper housing 112 along the inclined surfaces. Therefore, the present disclosure also has an advantage of maximizing the performance of the heater 130 by preventing the problem of unnecessary cooling of the heater 130 due to the dews falling to the heater 130.
Although some embodiments have been illustrated and described above, this specification is not limited to the aforementioned specific embodiments, and a person having ordinary skill in the art to which this specification pertains may modify the present invention in various ways without departing from the gist of the claims. Such modified embodiments should not be individually interpreted from the technical spirit or prospect of this specification.

Claims

A cleaner, comprising:
a main body having an operating part configured to receive a command and a main battery configured to supply power; and

a cleaning module connected to the main body and configured to generate steam to clean a cleaning region,

wherein the cleaning module comprises:
a cleaning module housing connected to the main body, forming an external appearance, and forming a space on an inside thereof;

a heater disposed on an inside of the cleanining module housing and configured to generate steam from water;

a water container disposed above the heater and configured to supply the water to the heater; and

a heater disposition part recessed upward from a lower surface of the water container and allowing at least a part of the heater to be inserted thereinto.
The cleaner of claim 1,
wherein the heater disposition part comprises:
a first inclined surface extending rearward from one side of the lower surface of the water container and having a rear end disposed upward than a front end thereof;

a second inclined surface extending rearward from the rear end of the first inclined surface and having a rear end disposed upward than a front end thereof; and

a third inclined surface extending rearward from the rear end of the second inclined surface.
The cleaner of claim 2,
wherein a slope of the second inclined surface is smaller than a slope of the first inclined surface, and

wherein a slope of the third inclined surface is smaller than the slope of the second inclined surface.
The cleaner of claim 1,
wherein the water container comprises:
a front storage part disposed at a front end thereof, forming an internal space allowing the water to be stored therein, and extending in left and right directions;

a left storage part forming an internal space allowing the water to be stored therein and extending rearward along a left surface of the water container from a left end of the front storage part; and

a right storage part forming an internal space allowing the water to be stored therein and extending rearward along a right surface of the water container from a right end of the front storage part.
The cleaner of claim 4,
wherein the front storage part, the left storage part and the right storage part form a U-shape having an open rear side when viewed from a top.
The cleaner of claim 4,
wherein the water container comprises a water drainage port formed in at least one among a connecting portion between the front storage part and the left storage part or a connecting portion between the front storage part and the right storage part and configured to drain water.
The cleaner of claim 4, further comprising:
an extension tube having a rear end connected to the main body and a front end connected to the cleaning module housing,

wherein the water container comprises an extension tube disposition part disposed on a right side of the left storage part, a left side of the left storage part, and a rear side of the heater disposition part, recessed forward from one side of a rear surface of the water container and allowing at least a part of the extension tube to be inserted thereinto.
The cleaner of claim 4,
wherein at least one among the left storage part and the right storage part has a front end disposed at a lower position than a rear end thereof.
The cleaner of claim 4,
wherein the water container comprises an air channel disposed at a rear of the front storage part and connecting the left storage part and the right storage part.
The cleaner of claim 1,
wherein the water container comprises:
a water drainage port formed at a front end thereof and configured to drain water; and

an air hole formed at a rear end thereof and configured to allow outside air to be introduced thereinto by a negative pressure.
The cleaner of claim 10,
wherein the air hole is disposed in an opposite direction of the water drainage port, based on an imaginary line (x axis) divisioning the water container in left and right directions when viewed from a top.
The cleaner of claim 1,
wherein the water container comprises water supply holes formed on both sides thereof and allowing water to be supplied therefrom.
The cleaner of claim 1,
wherein the cleaning module housing comprises:
a lower housing on which the heater is installed; and

an upper housing coupled to the lower housing, spaced apart from the heater above the heater, and allowing the water container to be installed on an upper surface thereof.
The cleaner of claim 13,
wherein the upper housing comprises a thermal insulation coating surface on an inner surface thereof opposing the heater.
A cleaner, comprising:
a main body having an operating part configured to receive a command and a main battery configured to supply power; and

a cleaning module connected to the main body and configured to generate steam to clean a cleaning region,

wherein the cleaning module comprises:
a cleaning module housing connected to the main body, forming an external appearance, and forming a space on an inside thereof;

a heater disposed inside the cleanining module housing and configured to generate steam from water;

a water container disposed above the heater and configured to supply the water to the heater; and

wherein the water container comprises: a storage part surrounding at least two or more side surfaces among four side surfaces of the heater and configured to store the water.
The cleaner of claim 15,
wherein the heater is disposed to be inclined from a ground surface, and

wherein the water container comprises an inclined surface disposed to be parallel to an upper surface of the heater.
The cleaner of claim 15,
wherein the storage part comprises:
a front storage part disposed on a front surface of the water container and extending in left and right directions;

a left storage part extending rearward along a left surface of the water container from a left end of the front storage part; and

a right storage part extending rearward along a right surface of the water container from a right end of the front storage part.