JP2017000251A - Self-propelled dust collection robot - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-propelled dust collection robot including two dust collection chambers for dividedly storing dust and configured to perform continuous cleaning by enabling sucking even when a dust storage amount increases in one dust collection chamber.SOLUTION: A self propelled dust collection robot 1 includes: a body part 2; an upper dust collection chamber S1 and a lower dust collection chamber S2 provided in the body part 2 and vertically divided; a main brush 18 disposed in a brush storage chamber 17 formed in front of the upper dust collection chamber S1 and lower dust collection chamber S2 and rotatingly driven; an upper passage 31 communicated to the brush storage chamber 17 to be connected to the upper dust collection chamber S1; a lower passage 32 communicated to the brush storage chamber 17 to be connected to the lower dust collection chamber S2; and a suction fan 84 communicated to the upper dust collection chamber S1 via a filter 49.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-propelled dust collection robot that cleans a floor while self-propelled.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a self-propelled dust collecting robot that collects dust on a floor surface and cleans it in a built-in dust box while the wheels are driven to rotate by a built-in motor. This self-propelled dust collecting robot accommodates a dust box in which a lower dust collecting chamber and an upper dust collecting chamber are formed in series behind a rotating brush that is rotationally driven, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. A filter and a fan are provided downstream of the upper dust collection chamber. Among the dust scraped up by the rotating brush, relatively large dust is stored in the lower dust collection chamber, while relatively fine dust is sucked by the fan. It is configured to be stored in the upper dust collection chamber.

European Patent Application Publication No. 198188

  In such a self-propelled dust collecting robot, if the amount of dust stored in the lower dust collecting chamber increases, there is a possibility that suction cannot be performed even if there is a margin in the upper dust collecting chamber.

  Therefore, the present invention is provided with two dust collection chambers for separately storing dust, and even if the amount of dust stored in one dust collection chamber increases, the suction can be continuously performed and cleaning can be performed. The purpose is to provide a self-propelled dust collection robot.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 includes a main body, an upper dust collection chamber, a lower dust collection chamber, an upper dust collection chamber, A brush disposed in the brush housing chamber formed in front of the side dust collecting chamber and driven to rotate; an upper path communicating with the brush housing chamber and connected to the upper dust collecting chamber; and a lower side communicating with the brush housing chamber A lower path connected to the dust collecting chamber and a suction fan communicating with the upper dust collecting chamber through a filter are included.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the configuration of claim 1, the connection position between the lower dust collection chamber and the lower path is made higher than the bottom surface of the lower dust collection chamber. .
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the first or second aspect, the opening area of the communication portion between the lower path and the brush storage chamber is larger than the opening area of the communication portion between the upper path and the brush storage chamber. It is characterized by that.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to third aspects, the partition portion between the upper dust collecting chamber and the lower dust collecting chamber is inclined downward toward the rear. Is.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper dust collecting chamber and the upper dust path are made independent of each other, so that the upper dust collecting chamber and the lower dust collecting chamber are separated from each other. Even if the amount of stored dust in either one increases, the dust can be collected as it is, and continuous cleaning can be performed.
According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of claim 1, the connection position of the lower dust collection chamber and the lower path is higher than the bottom surface of the lower dust collection chamber. Dust stored in the lower dust collection chamber flows backward and is difficult to leak.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, the opening area of the communication portion between the lower path and the brush storage chamber is defined as the opening area of the communication portion between the upper path and the brush storage chamber. By making it larger than the area, it is possible to effectively collect large dust with a brush.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the first to third aspects, the upper dust collection chamber is inclined downward by tilting the partition portion between the upper dust collection chamber and the lower dust collection chamber. Dust does not accumulate near the entrance to the chamber and does not obstruct air flow. On the contrary, the dust that is scraped up by the brush and collected in the lower dust collection chamber from the lower path is stored in the front part of the lower dust collection chamber, so that there is no problem even if the rear part is shallow.

It is a perspective view from the upper part of a self-propelled dust collecting robot. It is a top view of a self-propelled dust collecting robot. It is a bottom view of a self-propelled dust collecting robot. It is a rear view of a self-propelled dust collecting robot. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view of a self-propelled dust collecting robot. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a wheel part. It is a perspective view of a dust collection box (tray removal state). It is a perspective view of a dust collection box (a tray and a filter removal state). It is a perspective view of a dust collection box (lid lock state). It is a front view of a dust collection box (lid lock state). It is a perspective view of a dust collection box (lid lock release state). It is a front view of a dust collection box (lid lock release state). It is a perspective view of a dust collection box (filter lock release state). It is a front view of a dust collection box (filter lock release state). It is a perspective view from the front of the self-propelled dust collection robot at the time of accommodating the dust collection box which is not a lid lock state. It is a perspective view from the back of a self-propelled dust collection robot at the time of storing a dust collection box which is not in a lid lock state. It is a top view of the self-propelled dust collection robot which accommodated the dust collection box of a lid lock state (a lid is omitted). It is a perspective view of the tray of the example of a change. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view of the self-propelled dust collection robot using the tray of the example of a change. It is a perspective view of the self-propelled dust collecting robot which attached the interference pin. It is a perspective view of an interference pin. It is a center longitudinal cross-sectional view of the self-propelled dust collecting robot which attached the interference pin. It is a perspective view of the self-propelled dust collection robot which made the locking member protrude. It is a top view of the self-propelled dust collecting robot which made the locking member protrude. It is a rear view of the self-propelled dust collection robot which made the locking member protrude.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above showing an example of a self-propelled dust collecting robot, FIG. 2 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a bottom view, FIG. 4 is a rear view, and FIG. A self-propelled dust collecting robot (hereinafter simply referred to as “dust collecting robot”) 1 includes a left and right battery 3 and a left and right battery 3 that are driven to rotate in a box-like main body 2 having a circular plan view. Motors 4, 4 (FIG. 6), a pair of left and right wheels 5, 5 as drive wheels that can be rotated independently by each motor 4, a fan unit 6 disposed between the batteries 3, 3, A dust box 7 is provided, and the lower portions of the wheels 5 and 5 protrude downward from the bottom surface of the main body 2. Casters 8 and 8 are provided on the left and right sides of the bottom of the bottom of the main body 2. As shown in FIG. 6, a speed reduction mechanism 9 including a plurality of gears 10, 10... Is interposed between each motor 4 and the wheels 5.

The main body 2 includes a lower housing 11 that mainly forms a bottom surface, and an upper housing 12 that is formed from a rear surface and an upper surface to a side surface. The front peripheral surface of the main body 2 has a plurality of sensors 14, 14... For detecting front obstacles in a non-contact manner, and retracts by contact with the obstacles to turn on a switch (not shown). A sensor cover 13 is attached.
A bottom cover 15 having a suction port 16 that is horizontally long and rectangular is screwed to the lower housing 11 at the front lower portion of the main body 2, and a brush housing chamber 17 that extends to the left and right is provided above the suction port 16. The main brush 18 is housed in the brush housing chamber 17.
The main brush 18 includes a left-right rotating shaft 19 and a plurality of brushes 20, 20... Radially and spirally arranged on the outer periphery thereof. The main brush 18 protrudes downward from the suction port 16. Yes. A main brush motor 21 is provided above the front side of the brush accommodating chamber 17, and the main brush is driven by a timing belt (not shown) stretched between the left end of the rotating shaft 19 and the output shaft of the main brush motor 21. 18 is rotatable in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  In addition, a pair of side brush motors 22 are attached downward to the lower housing 11 on the left and right sides of the suction port 16, and side brushes 23 are provided on the rotation shafts penetrating the lower housing 11. . This side brush 23 is radially provided with three brushes 25, 25,... That guide the dust to the suction port 16 with a rotating circular area T overlapping the suction port 16 in a plan view. Each of them rotates in the direction of arrow B in FIG. The side brush 23 and the main brush 18 serve as a dust collection unit. Reference numeral 26 in FIG. 5 denotes a controller provided between the left and right side brush motors 22, 22. The controller 26 includes a support base 28 supported by a boss 27 erected on the lower housing 11, and a control circuit board 29 fixed on the support base 28.

  On the other hand, in the main body portion 2 behind the main brush 18, a housing portion 30 of the dust collection box 7 is recessed with an upper surface opened, and the lower housing 11 is moved up and down from the brush housing chamber 17. An upper path 31 and a lower path 32 that are branched and connected to the accommodating portion 30 are formed. Of these, the upper path 31 extends from the upper side of the main brush 18 to the front wall 33 of the housing part 30 and has a rear end opened into the housing part 30 to be connected to the upper suction port 70 provided in the dust collection box 7. . The lower path 32 extends from the rear side of the main brush 18 to the front wall 33 and has a rear end opened in the accommodating portion 30, and is connected to a lower suction port 38 provided in the dust collection box 7. The opening area of the dust collecting paths 31 and 32 with respect to the brush accommodating chamber 17 is formed so that the lower path 32 is larger than the upper path 31. Further, since the lower path 32 is inclined forward and downward, the position of the lower suction port 38 to which the lower path 32 is connected is higher than the bottom surface of the box body 34 described later. Here, the lower edge height of the lower suction port 38 is substantially equal to the height of the rotating shaft 19 of the main brush 18.

As shown in FIG. 7, the dust collection box 7 has a plan view in which the rear vertex of the quadrangle is chamfered to have a hexagonal shape, and covers the lower box body 34 and the upper surface of the box body 34. The lid 35 is coupled by a hinge 36 at the rear end, and a tray 37 is detachably provided between the box body 34 and the lid 35.
The box body 34 has a horizontally long and deep bottom box shape with an upper surface opened, and a lower suction port 38 connected to the lower path 32 in a state of being set in the accommodating portion 30 in the lower part of the front surface in the left-right direction. Is formed. A downward recess 39 is formed at the center in the left-right direction above the lower suction port 38, and an L-shaped projecting portion 40 projecting outward is provided around the upper end outer periphery.

A pair of square columnar lock portions 41A and 41B having a thickness projecting forward and downward from the overhanging portion 40 are formed on the front surface of the overhanging portion 40 on the left and right sides of the escape recess 39 and spaced apart in the left-right direction. ing. Here, the center side (inner side) lock part 41A is longer than the outer side lock part 41B, but the right lock part 41A is longer than the left lock part 41A even at the same center side. Thus, the difference from the adjacent lock portion 41B is large. As shown in FIG. 8, cuts 42 are formed in the left and right directions on the lower surfaces of the lock portions 41A and 41B.
On the other hand, on the bottom surface of the box main body 34, upper ridges 43 extending radially from the respective vertexes of the central square are formed. The upper ridge 43 is fitted with a lower ridge 44 of the same shape protruding from the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 30 in the lower housing 11 to position the box body 34.

The lid 35 is provided with a horizontally long exhaust pipe 46 projecting from the rear surface thereof, an upper lid 45 provided with a pair of left and right lock plates 47, 47 as a locking member on the front surface, a lower lid 48 fitted to the lower surface of the upper lid 45, The filter 49 is sandwiched between the upper lid 45 and the lower lid 48. The upper lid 45 has a concave portion 50 that is recessed rearward in the center of the front surface, and has a thin box shape with an upper handle 51 at the front end of the concave portion 50 and an opening facing downward, and an inner wall 52 that is slightly smaller is formed inside. The exhaust tube 46 protrudes rearward from the rear surface of the inner wall 52 through the upper lid 45.
Band plate-like guide portions 53 and 53 projecting forward are formed on the left and right sides of the concave portion 50 on the front surface of the upper lid 45, and the lock plates 47 and 47 extend along the guide portions 53 and 53. It can slide left and right. A notch 54 is formed near the center of the lower end of the left guide portion 53.

  The lock plate 47 has a rectangular shape that is horizontally long when viewed from the front, and a fitting groove 55 that fits into the guide portion 53 is formed in the left-right direction on the back surface. As shown in FIG. 11, a folded piece 56 that rises upward and engages with the back surface of the guide portion 53 is formed at the rear end of the lower surface of the fitting groove 55 over the entire length in the left-right direction. Is prevented. In addition, the lock plate 47 protrudes downward from the lower end of the upper lid 45 when attached to the guide portion 53, and a pair of left and right engaging pieces 57A and 57B projecting rearward are formed on the projected lower end edge. Has been. At the rear ends of the respective locking pieces 57A, 57B, locking claws 58 that can be engaged with the notches 42 formed in the lock portions 41A, 41B of the box body 34 are formed over the entire length in the left-right direction.

The lower lid 48 is provided with an inner rib 59 that is fitted into the opening of the upper lid 45 from the inside on the upper surface of a plate body having the same shape as the lower surface of the upper lid 45. A hexagonal opening 60 corresponding to the inner wall 52 is formed. A step 61 that is lower than the inner rib 59 and close to the lower end of the inner wall 52 is formed over the entire circumference of the opening 60. A guard plate 62 that is inclined downward toward the rear and partitions the lower front side of the opening 60 is connected to the lower side of the front portion of the step portion 61.
Further, a projection 63 that fits into a notch 54 provided in the guide portion 53 of the upper lid 45 is projected forward from the left side of the lower lid 48 and the front side of the inner rib 59.

The filter 49 is a flat box shape that fits inside the step portion 61 of the lower lid 48 and closes the opening 60. The filter 49 accommodates a folded paper filter 65 in a holding frame 64 that has an opening up and down. A flange 66 that engages with the stepped portion 61 from above is provided on the outer periphery of the holding frame 64. An extension piece 68 is formed on the left side of the front flange 66 to fit into a recess 67 provided on the left side of the upper surface of the lower lid 48 inside the inner rib 59.
The tray 37 is a shallow dish that fits into the opening of the box main body 34, and the upper end of the tray 37 is fitted inside the overhanging portion 40 of the box main body 34 and locked to the upper end of the box main body 34. A flange 69 is provided over the entire circumference. An upper suction port 70 in the shape of a horizontally long rectangular tube protrudes slightly downward from the front center. The upper suction port 70 has a shape that can be fitted into the relief recess 39 of the box body 34 on the outside of the tray 37, and is formed so that the width on the inside of the tray 37 is larger than that of the outside. A lower handle 71 is erected on the upper surface of the upper suction port 70 inside the tray 37. The lower handle 71 is integrated with the upper handle 51 of the upper lid 45 from the lower side with the lid 35 closed to form a handle 72 that serves as a handle for the dust collection box 7 itself.

Therefore, the tray 37 is fitted to the box body 34 with the locking flange 69 locked to the upper surface, the filter 49 is fitted to the opening 60 of the lower lid 48, and the extended piece 68 is fitted to the recess 67. The upper lid 45 is closed in a state in which it is fitted in the direction. Then, as shown in FIGS. 5, 9, and 10, the upper suction port 70 of the tray 37 fits into the relief recess 39 of the box body 34, and the protrusion 63 of the lower lid 48 fits into the notch 54 of the upper lid 45. Accordingly, the tray 37 is sandwiched between the box body 34 and the lower lid 48, and the filter 49 is closed in such a manner as to be sandwiched between the lower lid 45 and the upper lid 45. In this state, the upper dust collection chamber S1 is formed above the tray 37 and the lower dust collection chamber S2 is formed below the tray 37 in a separated state in the dust collection box 7.
Here, the lock plates 47 and 47 are opened and closed by changing the positions of the locking pieces 57A and 57B at the lower end with respect to the lock portions 41A and 41B of the box body 34 by sliding in the left-right direction. Can be selected.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, at the first slide position of the lock plate 47 where the locking pieces 57A and 57B are respectively located below the lock portions 41A and 41B, the locking pieces 57A and 57B are the lock portions 41A. , 41B from the lower side, the opening of the lid 35 is locked (lock position). At this time, the lock plates 47 and 47 do not protrude outward from the left and right side surfaces of the upper lid 45, respectively.
Next, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, in the second slide position of the lock plate 47 where the locking pieces 57A and 57B are separated from the lower side of the lock portions 41A and 41B, the upper lid 45 via the lock plate 47 is provided. And the box main body 34 are released. However, since the locking piece 57A of the left lock plate 47 is located below the protrusion 63 of the lower lid 48, the lower lid 48 is still in a coupled state with the upper lid 45 (first unlock position). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the lid 37 that is unlocked can be rotated upward to expose the tray 37, so that the tray 37 can be taken in and out.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when only the left lock plate 47 is slid from the second slide position to the third slide position where the locking piece 57 </ b> A is separated from the lower side of the projection 63, The coupling between the upper lid 45 and the lower lid 48 via the plate 47 is released (second unlock position). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, only the upper lid 45 can be rotated upward alone, so that the unlocked filter 49 can be replaced.
On the front surface of the upper cover 45, symbols 45a (first slide position), 45b (second slide position), and 45c (third slide position) indicating the slide position of the lock plate 47 are displayed. An arrow 47a is displayed at the front upper center, and each slide position can be selected by aligning the arrow 47a with each of the symbols 45a to 45c.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the upper housing 12 is provided with a lid 73 for opening and closing the upper portion of the accommodating portion 30 to put in and out the dust collection box 7. The lid 73 has a pair of arms 74 and 74 projecting on the left and right sides of the lower surface of the front end so as to be able to be inserted into and removed from the main body 2, and the arms 74 and 74 are lifted by lifting the rear end of the lid 73. The lid 73 can be flipped up almost vertically to open the accommodating portion 30, and if the rear end is pushed down, the lid 73 can be laid down to close the accommodating portion 30. A locking piece 75 projects downward from the center of the lower surface of the rear end of the lid 73, and the upper housing 12 has a locking hole 76 into which the locking piece 75 is inserted and locked at the closed position of the lid 73. Is formed.
Therefore, the dust collection box 7 can be accommodated from above in the accommodating portion 30 in which the lid 73 is flipped up and opened so that the handle 72 is held and the lock plates 47 and 47 are directed forward.

  At this time, if the lock plate 47 of the dust collection box 7 is located at a position other than the first slide position, it protrudes outward from the lid 35 as described above. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. If it is going to be placed in the position 30, the lock plate 47 interferes with the upper housing 12 and cannot be accommodated. On the other hand, if the lock plate 47 is in the first slide position, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the lid 35 is not accommodated in an unlocked state by the lock plate 47.

And in the state which accommodated the dust collection box 7 in the accommodating part 30, while the lower suction port 38 of the box main body 34 is connected with the lower side path | route 32, as shown in FIG. Connected to the upper path 31. Further, the exhaust tube 46 of the upper lid 45 is connected to an opening 78 formed in the rear wall 77 of the housing portion 30. Reference numeral 79 denotes a sealing material that is provided around the opening 78 and seals between the exhaust tube 46.
The fan unit 6 is accommodated in the main body 2 behind the rear wall 77, and an intake port 81 provided in front of the upper side of the casing 80 is brought into contact with the rear wall 77 at the position of the opening 78, thereby Communicating with A fan motor 82 with the rotary shaft 83 facing upward and a suction fan 84 attached to the rotary shaft 83 are provided in the lower part of the casing 80, and the air sucked from the intake port 81 by the rotation of the suction fan 84 is provided. The air can be discharged from inner exhaust ports 85, 85,. Outer exhaust ports 86, 86... Are formed on the rear surface of the upper housing 12 outside the inner exhaust port 85.

  Then, on the left and right sides of the fan unit 6 at the rear portion of the upper housing 12, mounting portions 87 and 87 for the batteries 3 and 3 are formed in a notch shape. The mounting portion 87 is disposed symmetrically with respect to the center line in the front-rear direction of the main body portion 2. The battery 3 attached to the attachment part 87 is an 18V lithium ion battery used as a power source for the electric tool, and the attachment part 87 has the same structure as the attachment part provided in the electric tool. That is, at the innermost part of the mounting portion 87, a pair of guide rails (not shown) that are fitted from the outside to the rail provided at the coupling portion of the battery 3 are formed upward, and a positive and negative terminal plate is provided between the guide rails. The terminal block is provided facing upward. Therefore, the battery 3 is inserted into the mounting portion 87 from above, so that the rail is fitted and coupled to the guide rail, and the terminal block is electrically connected to the connection terminal provided at the coupling portion of the battery. The Thus, since the battery 3 for electric tools is used as a power supply, it is not necessary to prepare a different battery for every model, versatility is acquired, and cost and management effort are not required.

Here, the mounting portions 87 and 87 are formed so as to be inclined from the front-rear direction so that the innermost surface to which the battery 3 is coupled is along the tangential direction of the main body portion 2. It is set so as to face the center of the part 2. Since the battery 3 is tilted and attached in a radial manner in this way, the battery 3 can be disposed on the outermost side along the outer shape of the main body 2, and no useless space is generated outside the battery 3.
Furthermore, since the battery 3 is arranged in a balanced manner on the left and right with respect to the center line in the front-rear direction of the main body 2, even if there are two batteries 3, the center of gravity is not biased. In particular, since the casters 8 and 8 are positioned directly below the batteries 3 and 3 to which the casters 8 and 8 are attached, the running stability is good, and the straight running performance is not deteriorated even if one of the batteries 3 is not attached.

Behind the lid 73, the upper housing 12 is provided with an operation unit 88 including a power button 89, a battery 3 remaining amount display unit 90, an operation mode selection button 91, and the like. Below the operation unit 88, a switch board 92 (FIG. 5) including a switch that is turned ON / OFF by the operation of the operation unit 88 is provided.
In addition, a display lens 93 is provided in the upper housing 12 in front of the lid 73, and an LED substrate 94 having LEDs that emit light according to the operation mode is provided below the display lens 93. The switch board 92 and the LED board 94 are connected to the control circuit board 29 of the controller 26 by lead wires (not shown).

  In the dust collecting robot 1 configured as described above, the brush 20 of the main brush 18 and the brush 25 of the side brush 23 are respectively connected to the floor when the battery 3 is mounted on the mounting portion 87 and set on the floor surface. Contact the surface. Here, when the operation mode is selected by pressing the power button 89 of the operation unit 88, the motors 4 and 4 are driven, the wheels 5 and 5 are rotated, and the vehicle travels on the floor according to the set program. At the same time, the main brush motor 21 and the side brush motor 22 are driven to rotate the main brush 18 and the side brush 23, respectively, and the fan motor 82 is also driven to rotate the suction fan 84. Therefore, the dust on the floor is scraped up by the rotating main brush 18 and sucked from the suction port 16 by the suction force of the suction fan 84 and sent to the dust collection box 7 at the rear. At the same time, the side brushes 23 and 23 also bring outside dust to the main brush 18 side.

  At this time, large dust is stored in the lower dust collection chamber S <b> 2 in the box body 34 from the lower suction port 38 of the dust collection box 7 through the lower path 32. Since the lower suction port 38 is higher than the bottom surface of the box body 34 that becomes the bottom surface of the lower dust collection chamber S2, the dust stored in the lower dust collection chamber S2 is less likely to flow backward from the lower suction port 38. . On the other hand, as for small dust, the air sucked from the suction port 16 passes through the upper path 31 to reach the tray 37 from the upper suction port 70, passes through the filter 49, and is discharged from the exhaust tube 46 to the fan unit 6. The paper 49 is captured by the paper filter 65 of the filter 49 and is stored in the upper dust collecting chamber S 1 in the tray 37. Since the guard plate 62 is provided on the lower front side of the filter 49, air does not pass around the front side of the paper filter 65, and the air flows around the center side of the paper filter 65. It becomes difficult to clog.

  The batteries 3 and 3 are used as power sources one by one in order, and the remaining capacity of the battery 3 is displayed by the remaining amount display units 90 and 90 provided in the operation unit 88. Therefore, when the remaining capacity of one battery 3 runs out first, the battery 3 can be removed from the mounting portion 87 and charged by an external charger. In this case, it can be driven only by the other battery 3, but since the casters 8 and 8 are provided symmetrically as described above, even if the center of gravity of the main body 2 is biased by one battery 3, Stable traveling is possible by the left and right casters 8 and 8.

When the dust stored in the dust collection box 7 is discarded, the dust collection box 7 can be taken out via the handle 72 if the cover 73 is flipped up to expose the accommodating portion 30. Since the handle 72 protrudes to the outside of the dust collection box 7, it can be taken out in a clean state without being contaminated with dust or the like.
After taking out, if the left and right lock plates 47 are slid to the second slide position, the lock between the box body 34 and the lid 35 is released. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the tray 37 can be removed and the dust on the tray 37 can be discarded, and the dust can also be discarded from the box body 34 whose upper surface is open. On the other hand, when cleaning the filter 49 or replacing the paper filter 65, the upper cover 45 and the lower cover 48 are unlocked by sliding the left lock plate 47 to the third slide position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, only the upper lid 45 is opened, the filter 49 can be taken out, and cleaning or the like can be performed. When the disposal of dust and the like is completed, the box body 34 and the lid 35 are locked again by returning the lock plates 47 and 47 to the first slide position with the lid 35 closed.

  Thus, according to the dust collection robot 1 of the said form, the main-body part 2, the upper dust collection chamber S1 and lower dust-collection chamber S2 which are provided in the main-body part 2 and are isolate | separated up and down, and an upper dust collection chamber The main brush 18 disposed in the brush housing chamber 17 formed in front of S1 and the lower dust collection chamber S2 and rotationally driven, and the upper path 31 communicating with the brush housing chamber 17 and connected to the upper dust collection chamber S1. And a lower path 32 that communicates with the brush storage chamber 17 and is connected to the lower dust collection chamber S2, and a suction fan 84 that communicates with the upper dust collection chamber S1 via the filter 49. Even if the amount of dust stored in either the upper dust collection chamber S1 or the lower dust collection chamber S2 increases, dust collection can be performed as it is, and continuous cleaning can be performed.

In particular, here, the connection position (lower suction port 38) between the lower dust collection chamber S2 and the lower path 32 is made higher than the bottom surface of the lower dust collection chamber S2, so that the lower dust collection chamber S2 The possibility that the stored dust flows backward and leaks from the lower suction port 38 is reduced.
Further, since the opening area of the communication portion between the lower path 32 and the brush housing chamber 17 is made larger than the opening area of the communication portion between the upper path 31 and the brush housing chamber 17, large dust is collected by the main brush 18. Can be done effectively.

  In the above-described embodiment, the tray 37 of the dust collection box 7 has a dish-like shape with a horizontal bottom surface. However, as shown in FIGS. If it does in this way, it will become deep so that upper dust collection room S1 goes back, and it becomes shallow, so that lower dust collection room S2 goes back. Thus, if the bottom part, which is a partition part between the upper dust collecting chamber S1 and the lower dust collecting chamber S2, is inclined downward, the dust collected from the upper path 31 to the upper dust collecting chamber S1 is behind the upper dust collecting chamber S1. Therefore, the dust is not stored in the vicinity of the entrance from the upper suction port 70 to the upper dust collecting chamber S1, and the air flow is not hindered. On the contrary, dust collected by the main brush 18 and collected from the lower path 32 to the lower dust collection chamber S2 is stored only in the front portion of the lower dust collection chamber S2, so that the rear portion is shallow. There is no hindrance. The tray 37 and the tray 37A may be selected according to the usage environment of the dust collecting robot 1.

On the other hand, according to the dust collection robot 1 of the said form, the main-body part 2 provided with the wheel 5, the dust collection part (the main brush 18 and the side brush 23) provided in the main-body part 2, and the main-body part 2 can be taken in / out. And a dust collection box 7 having a lid 35 at the top and storing the dust collected in the dust collection section. The dust collection box 7 is separated into upper and lower parts and individually suction ports 38 and 70. In which the upper dust collection chamber S1 and the lower dust collection chamber S2 are formed, the tray 37 (37A) forming the upper dust collection chamber S1 can be detached independently from the dust collection box 7, Even if the dust collection box 7 is provided with two dust collection chambers S1 and S2 for separately storing dust, the dust can be easily discarded. In particular, here, the tray 37 (which forms the upper dust collection chamber S1) 37A) is provided with a lower handle 71, B. 37 and 37A can be easily taken in and out.
Further, the lower handle 71 is exposed to the outside of the dust collection box 7 when the tray 37 (37A) is assembled in the dust collection box 7, and can also be used as the handle 72 of the dust collection box 7 itself. Is rational and leads to cost reduction.

Further, the slide operation can be performed in a locked position where the opening operation of the lid 35 is locked in a state where the tray 37 (37A) is assembled, and an unlock position where the opening operation of the lid 35 is allowed and the tray 37 (37A) can be removed. Lock plates 47, 47 are provided so that the lock plates 47, 47 protrude from the dust collection box 7 in the unlocked position and restrict accommodation in the main body 2, thereby collecting dust while forgetting to lock the lid 35. Misuse of housing the box 7 is eliminated, and the possibility of dust leakage is eliminated.
In addition, the unlock position includes two positions: a first unlock position where the filter 49 cannot be removed from the lid 35 side, and a second unlock position where the filter 49 can be removed from the lid 35 side. Since the lock plate 47 on the left side can be slid in stages from the lock position to the first unlock position and the second unlock position, the lock plate 47 can be easily slid to each slide position. Become.

And since the opening area of the upper suction port 70 of the tray 37 (37A) is made smaller than the lower suction port 38 of the box main body 34 that forms the lower dust collection chamber S2, there are two paths to the brush housing chamber 17. Even if 31 and 32 are connected, dust can be efficiently sucked to the tray 37 (37A) side.
Further, by providing the filter 49 above the tray 37 (37A), dust can be reliably stored in the tray 37 (37A).

In the above embodiment, in the dust collection box, the left lock plate is slid from the lock position to the two unlock positions, but three slide positions are set on the right lock plate in the right and left direction. Alternatively, three slide positions may be set on the left and right. The arrangement of the lock plate and the hinge can also be reversed.
In addition, it is not always necessary to make the locking member protrude in the unlocked position. If the tray can be opened and closed independently, it is possible to install only one locking member in the center of the dust collection box, or slide structure. Alternatively, a latch structure may be used.

  On the other hand, a gap entry preventing means can be provided so that the dust collecting robot 1 does not enter a narrow gap such as under a cart that does not require cleaning. As this gap entry preventing means, for example, as shown in FIG. 20, it is conceivable to provide an interference pin 95 at the front end of the upper surface of the sensor cover 13. As shown in FIG. 21, the interference pin 95 is a shaft body having a screw portion 96 formed at the lower end and a cylindrical shape at the upper end, and a screw hole portion provided on the upper surface of the sensor cover 13 as shown in FIG. By being screwed into 97, it is integrally provided in a state of protruding upward from the sensor cover 13. The height including the interference pin 95 is set to be higher than the height of the gap to be avoided from entering.

Therefore, when the dust collection robot 1 reaches a gap where it is desired to avoid the entry, the interference pin 95 higher than the gap comes into contact with a carriage or the like that forms the gap, so that the sensor cover 13 reacts to change the traveling direction of the dust collection robot 1. It will change, and the approach to the said clearance gap can be prevented. In particular, since the interference pin 95 is detachable, it can be removed if the gap entry prevention function is unnecessary, and the function can be selected. Further, if the screwing amount of the interference pin 95 is adjusted, the protruding height that matches the gap can be adjusted.
This interference pin may be provided in multiple places instead of one place, and if it can be selected from the projecting position and the immersion position from the sensor cover by a so-called push-push mechanism etc. Selection of functions is possible. Further, the protrusion height can be adjusted by using a screw or by extending and contracting the interference pin as a telescope structure.
Further, the gap entry preventing means is not limited to the pin shape, and can be appropriately changed such that the plate-like body can be attached and detached, and the plate-like body can be laid down by a hinge on the upper surface of the sensor cover.

In addition, anti-theft means for the dust collecting robot 1 can be provided. As this antitheft means, for example, a battery lock means for preventing removal of the battery 3 can be considered. This is because even if the dust collecting robot 1 is stolen, if the battery cannot be removed, the battery cannot be charged even if the capacity is exhausted and cannot be used thereafter.
As the battery lock means, for example, as shown in FIGS. 23 to 25, a lock body 98 can be projected and retracted from the main body 2 to the upper part of the mounting part 87 or the upper part of the mounting part 87. The lock body 98 is positioned above the battery 3 and prevented from being removed by the input of a specific key operation at the operation unit 88, and retracted from above the battery 3. Then, it is conceivable to move it to a retracted position where it can be removed. Therefore, if the lock body 98 is moved to the protruding position shown in FIG. 21 or the like by a key operation after the dust collecting robot 1 is used, the battery 3 cannot be removed and the dust collecting robot 1 is prevented from being stolen.

The lock body 98 may be moved by using a dedicated key or inputting a password using a numeric keypad. Further, the lock body is not limited to a plate shape, and may be a pin or a hook shape that appears and disappears in the mounting portion.
The anti-theft means can be achieved even if the dust collecting robot has a built-in battery so that the anti-theft means cannot be operated without inputting a specific key operation on the operation unit.

In addition, in the dust collecting robot, the number of batteries is not limited to two, and three or more batteries can be used as long as they can be arranged in a balanced manner on the left and right. Further, the present invention can be applied even to a type in which the traveling direction is reversed, that is, a self-propelled dust collecting robot in which the battery and the caster are in the front part of the main body and the suction port is in the rear part of the main body. is there.
Also, the battery configuration and the mounting structure to the mounting part can be inserted from the rear rather than from the top, the engaging part such as a guide rail is provided not on the inner surface in the radial direction but on the inner surface in the radial direction, It can be appropriately changed, such as being provided on the inner surface along the direction. Furthermore, it can also be set as the structure where terminals contact by simple insertion instead of engagement with a rail and a guide rail.

  On the other hand, the number of casters is not limited to two, and three or more casters can be used, and it is not necessary to fit within the outer shape of the battery in a plan view as in the above embodiment. It can also arrange | position so that a part or all may protrude from. The side brush can also be omitted.

  1, 1A ... Self-propelled dust collecting robot 2. Main body 3. Battery 4. Motor 5. Wheel 6 ... Fan unit 7. Dust collection box 11. Lower Side housing, 12 ·· Upper housing, 13 ·· Sensor cover, 16 ·· Suction port, 17 ·· Brush housing chamber, 18 ·· Main brush, 23 ·· Side brush, 26 ·· Controller, 30 ·· Housing 31 ··· Upper path, 32 ·· Lower path, 34 ·· Box body, 35 ·· Lid, 37, 37A · · Tray, 38 · · Lower suction port, 41A, 41B · · · Lock portion, 45 ··· Upper lid, 47 ... Lock plate, 48 ... Lower lid, 49 ... Filter, 57A, 57B ... Locking piece, 70 ... Upper suction port, 72 ... Handle, 73 ... lid, 84 ... suction Fan, 87 ... Installation part, 88 ... Operation part, S1 ... Upper side Room, S2 ·· lower dust collecting chamber.

Claims (4)

The main body,
An upper dust collection chamber and a lower dust collection chamber which are provided in the main body and are separated vertically;
A brush disposed in a brush housing chamber formed in front of the upper dust collection chamber and the lower dust collection chamber and driven to rotate;
An upper path connected to the upper dust collection chamber in communication with the brush housing chamber;
A lower path connected to the lower dust collection chamber in communication with the brush housing chamber;
A suction fan communicating with the upper dust collection chamber via a filter;
A self-propelled dust collecting robot comprising:   The self-propelled dust collection robot according to claim 1, wherein a connection position between the lower dust collection chamber and the lower path is higher than a bottom surface of the lower dust collection chamber.   The opening area of the communication portion between the lower path and the brush storage chamber is larger than the opening area of the communication portion between the upper path and the brush storage chamber. Self-propelled dust collection robot.   The self-propelled dust collecting robot according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a partition portion between the upper dust collecting chamber and the lower dust collecting chamber is inclined downward toward the rear.

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