JP2017158806A - Electric cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric cleaning apparatus in which an electric vacuum cleaner and a dust station can be connected together at a more accurate position.SOLUTION: A contact surface 51 is provided on one of an outer edge portion of a dust discharge port 33 of an electric vacuum cleaner 11 and an outer edge portion of a dust suction port 77 of a dust station 12. A seal member 78 is provided on the other of the outer edge portion of the dust discharge port 33 and the outer edge portion of the dust suction port 77. When the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are connected together, the seal member 78 moves in a direction away from the contact surface 51. When the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are opposed to each other, the seal member is pressure-joined to the contact surface 51 to maintain the airtightness of the connection.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a vacuum cleaner including a vacuum cleaner and a dust station to which the vacuum cleaner is connected.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a so-called autonomous traveling type vacuum cleaner (cleaning robot) that cleans a floor surface while autonomously traveling on the floor surface as a surface to be cleaned is known. Such a vacuum cleaner normally operates with a secondary battery as a power source, and when cleaning is completed, returns to the charging device to charge the secondary battery and waits for the next cleaning.

  As such a charging device, a dust station that transfers and collects dust collected in a dust collecting portion of a returned vacuum cleaner may be used. In this configuration, the vacuum cleaner is provided with a dust discharge port that can communicate with the dust collector, and the dust station is provided with a dust suction port connected to the dust discharge port. When returning, the dust discharge port is opened, and the dust discharge port and the dust suction port are connected.

  These dust outlets and dust inlets are connected in the vertical direction where the vacuum cleaner intersects the direction toward the dust station, rather than the vacuum cleaner abutting and connecting along the direction toward the dust station. Is preferable from the viewpoint of airtightness of connection. Moreover, in order to maintain the airtightness of the connection between the dust discharge port and the dust suction port, a seal member such as a packing may be provided on the outer edge of the dust suction port. However, in this case, as the vacuum cleaner approaches the dust station, the outer edge portion of the dust discharge port of the vacuum cleaner and the sealing member are rubbed to generate a frictional force. Therefore, this frictional force may prevent the driving wheel from slipping when the vacuum cleaner is connected to the dust station, or the poor connection between the charging terminal of the vacuum cleaner and the charging terminal of the dust station. Desired.

JP 2004-267236 A

  Problem to be solved by the invention is providing the vacuum cleaner which can connect a vacuum cleaner and a dust station in a more exact position.

  The vacuum cleaner of embodiment has a vacuum cleaner and the dust station to which this vacuum cleaner is connected. The vacuum cleaner includes a main body case, a drive unit that can travel the main body case, a cleaning unit that performs cleaning, a dust collecting unit, and a dust discharge port. The dust collecting unit collects the dust cleaned by the cleaning unit. The dust discharge port communicates with the dust collecting portion and is provided at either the upper part or the lower part of the main body case. Further, the dust discharge port transfers the dust collected in the dust collecting portion to the dust station. The dust station includes a dust suction port, a dust container, and suction means. The dust suction port is connected to the dust discharge port. The dust container communicates with the dust inlet. The suction means sucks the dust in the dust collecting portion into the dust accommodating portion from the dust discharge port connected to the dust suction port via the dust suction port. And a contact part is provided in any one of the outer edge part of a dust discharge port, and the outer edge part of a dust suction inlet. A seal member is provided on the other of the outer edge of the dust discharge port and the outer edge of the dust suction port. When the dust discharge port and the dust suction port are connected, the seal member moves in a direction away from the contact portion, and when the dust discharge port and the dust suction port face each other, the seal member is pressed against the contact portion to make the connection airtight. Hold.

It is sectional drawing which shows the connection operation | movement to the dust station of the vacuum cleaner of the vacuum cleaner of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state following FIG. 1 of the connection operation | movement to the dust station of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is sectional drawing which shows the state following FIG. 2 of the connection operation | movement to the dust station of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is sectional drawing which shows the state following FIG. 3 of the connection operation | movement to the dust station of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of vacuum cleaner and dust station same as the above. (a) is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the vacuum cleaner, and (b) is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the dust station. It is a bottom view of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is an explanatory top view which shows typically the connection operation to the dust station of a vacuum cleaner same as the above in order of (a) (b). It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the vacuum cleaner same as the above was connected to the dust station. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection operation | movement to the dust station of the vacuum cleaner of the vacuum cleaner of 2nd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the state following FIG. 11 of the connection operation | movement to the dust station of a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a vacuum cleaner same as the above. It is a perspective view which shows a part of electric vacuum cleaner same as the above from the downward direction.

  The configuration of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 10 denotes an electric cleaning device (electric cleaning system) that is a cleaning device as a traveling body device. The electric cleaning device 10 includes an electric vacuum cleaner 11 as an autonomous traveling body and the electric vacuum cleaner 11. And a dust station 12 for removing the collected dust. In the present embodiment, the dust station 12 has a charging function of the electric vacuum cleaner 11, but this charging function is not an essential configuration.

  In this embodiment, the vacuum cleaner 11 is a so-called self-propelled robot cleaner (cleaning robot) that cleans the floor surface while autonomously traveling (self-propelled) on the floor surface to be cleaned as the traveling surface. is there. The vacuum cleaner 11 includes a hollow main body case 20, a traveling unit 21 shown in FIG. 6A that causes the main body case 20 to travel on the floor surface, and a cleaning unit 22 that cleans dust such as the floor surface. , Communication unit 23, sensor unit 26, travel unit 21, cleaning unit 22, control unit (control unit) 27 for controlling communication unit 23 and sensor unit 26, these travel unit 21, cleaning unit 22, communication unit 23 And a secondary battery 28 as a main body power supply unit for supplying power to the sensor unit 26, the control means 27, and the like. Hereinafter, the direction along the traveling direction of the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) is defined as the front-rear direction (arrow FR, RR directions shown in FIG. 1 and the like), and the left-right direction intersecting (orthogonal) with the front-rear direction. (Both sides direction) is described as the width direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the main body case 20 is formed in a flat columnar shape (disk shape), for example, with synthetic resin or the like, and a suction port that is a dust collection port on a lower surface 30 that is a lower portion facing the floor surface. 31, exhaust port 32, and dust discharge port 33 are opened.

  The travel unit 21 includes a plurality of (a pair of) drive wheels 34 and 34 as drive units, motors 35 and 35 as drive units that drive the drive wheels 34 and 34, and a turning wheel 36 for turning. Etc.

  Each drive wheel 34 causes the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) to travel in the forward and backward directions on the floor (autonomous traveling), that is, for traveling, and rotates not shown along the left-right width direction. It has an axis and is arranged symmetrically in the width direction at the positions on both front sides of the suction port 31. Accordingly, the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) can travel autonomously by these drive wheels 34, 34. The drive wheels 34 may be endless tracks.

  Each motor 35 is arranged corresponding to each of the driving wheels 34, for example, and can drive each driving wheel 34 independently.

  The swivel wheel 36 is a driven wheel that is positioned at the front and substantially at the center in the width direction of the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20, and can be swung along the floor surface.

  The cleaning unit 22 is located in the main body case 20, for example, an electric blower 41 that sucks dust together with air from the suction port 31 and exhausts it from the exhaust port 32, and a rotary cleaning body that is rotatably attached to the suction port 31 and scrapes up dust. Rotating brush 42 and brush motor 43 (FIG. 6 (a)) for rotating the rotating brush 42, and an auxiliary as a swivel cleaning unit that is rotatably attached to both sides such as the front side of the main body case 20 and scrapes dust. A side brush 44 serving as a cleaning means (auxiliary cleaning unit), a side brush motor 45 (FIG. 6 (a)) for driving the side brush 44, and a dust collecting unit (dust cup for communicating dust with the suction port 31). ) 46 etc. The electric blower 41, the brush motor 43, and the side brush motor 45 are each driven by power supply from the secondary battery 28, and the operation is controlled by the control means 27 (FIG. 6 (a)). The cleaning unit 22 includes at least one of an electric blower 41, a rotating brush 42 and a brush motor 43 (FIG. 6A), and a side brush 44 and a side brush motor 45 (FIG. 6A). It only has to be.

  The dust collection part 46 is a dust collection cup that can be attached to and detached from the main body case 20, and is located, for example, at the rear part of the main body case 20. The dust collecting part 46 communicates with the suction port 31. Further, in the present embodiment, the dust collecting portion 46 communicates with the suction side of the electric blower 41 so that dust sucked together with air from the suction port 31 due to the negative pressure generated by driving the electric blower 41 is stored inside. It has become. Further, the dust collection portion 46 communicates with the dust discharge port 33. Further, a filter unit (not shown) for preventing dust contained in the passing air from being sucked into the electric blower 41 may be disposed in the dust collection unit 46.

  The dust discharge port 33 is located on the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20, and is opened facing the floor surface. The dust discharge port 33 is formed in a quadrangular shape, and is located, for example, in the center in the left-right direction of the main body case 20 and in the vicinity of the rear end portion of the main body case 20. A contact surface 51 that is a contact portion that surrounds the dust discharge port 33 and contacts the dust station 12 side is formed at the outer edge of the dust discharge port 33. Further, the dust discharge port 33 can be opened and closed by a lid 52 that is a shutter.

  The contact surface 51 is formed in a rectangular frame shape. For example, in the present embodiment, the contact surface 51 is formed to protrude downward with respect to the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20. Further, the contact surface 51 is a flat portion inclined upward from the front side to the rear side along the shape of the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20. Accordingly, the contact surface 51 is basically formed in a planar shape that extends along the front-rear and left-right directions.

  The lid 52 is exposed on the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20, and as shown in FIG. 1, for example, a rotation shaft 52a located on the front side is pivotally supported with respect to the main body case 20. The lid 52 is moved upward by a coil spring 53 as a lid urging means. That is, the dust discharge port 33 is biased in the closing direction. The lid body 52 is formed with a hooking groove portion 54 that is hooked when the lid body 52 is opened, extending in the left-right direction.

  The communication unit 23 shown in FIG. 6A includes a signal transmission unit 55 such as an infrared light emitting element that transmits a feedback request signal (infrared signal) when returning to the dust station 12 (FIG. 6B), and Further, for example, a pair of left and right signal receivers 56 and 56 such as a phototransistor for receiving an induction signal (infrared signal) from the dust station 12 (FIG. 6B) is provided.

  The sensor unit 26 is an object detection unit (object detection unit) that is an obstacle detection unit (obstacle detection unit) that detects the presence or absence of a physical or virtual object around the main body case 20 (FIG. 1), for example. 57 and a step detecting means (step detecting unit) 58 for detecting a step on the floor surface and the like.

  The object detection means 57 includes, for example, an ultrasonic sensor and an infrared sensor, and can detect an object (obstacle) located within a predetermined distance.

  The level difference detection means 58 is, for example, an infrared sensor, and can detect a level difference on the floor surface by detecting the distance between the lower part of the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) and the floor surface.

  The control means 27 includes, for example, a CPU that is a control means main body (control part main body), a ROM that is a storage part that stores fixed data such as a program read by the CPU, and a work area that is a work area for data processing by the program The microcomputer includes a RAM (not shown) that is an area storage unit that dynamically forms various memory areas. Further, in this embodiment, the control means 27 is configured to travel autonomously based on the detection result of the sensor unit 26, and to transfer dust from the dust collection unit 46 (FIG. 1) to the dust station 12 (FIG. 1). There are a transfer mode for transferring and a standby mode for waiting for operation. The control unit 27 controls operations of the communication unit 23, the sensor unit 26, the electric blower 41, the brush motor 43, the side brush motor 45, and the like. Therefore, the control means 27 includes a communication part control means (communication part control part), a sensor part control means (sensor part control part), a cleaning body control means (cleaning body control part), and an auxiliary cleaning body control means (auxiliary control part). Each of the functions of the cleaning body control unit).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the secondary battery 28 is electrically connected to charging terminals 59 and 59 as connection portions exposed at positions separated from both sides of the dust discharge port 33 at the rear portion of the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20. The charging terminals 59, 59 are electrically and mechanically connected to the dust station 12 side for charging.

  On the other hand, the dust station 12 shown in FIG. 8 and the like is for starting and returning the vacuum cleaner 11 in the present embodiment, and is disposed at a position that does not interfere with cleaning, such as the vicinity of a wall section that divides the room. Yes. This dust station 12 receives a station signal such as a case transistor 61, an electric blower 62 as a suction means (suction device), a dust container (dust box) 63, a phototransistor for inducing a feedback request signal from the vacuum cleaner 11, etc. 64, an induction signal transmission unit 65 such as an infrared light emitting element that outputs the induction signal B of the vacuum cleaner 11, a control unit 66 (FIG. 6B), and an external power source such as a commercial AC power source (not shown). A power cord 67 that is a station power source for supplying power to the electric blower 62 and the controller 66 is provided. In this embodiment, since the dust station 12 has a charging function of the secondary battery 28 (FIG. 6A) of the vacuum cleaner 11, the case body 61 has a charging function as shown in FIG. 6B. Further, a charging circuit 68 for charging the secondary battery 28 such as a constant current circuit is accommodated, and the charging terminals 59 and 59 of the vacuum cleaner 11 are electrically connected to the charging circuit 68 (FIG. 6A). ) And charging terminals 69 and 69 that can be electrically and mechanically connected are disposed. However, when the dust station 12 does not have a charging function, the charging circuit 68 and the charging terminals 69 and 69 are unnecessary. It is. In the following description, the vacuum cleaner 11 shown in FIG. 8 is connected to the dust station 12 when the vacuum cleaner 11 is fixed at a predetermined position with respect to the dust station 12 and the dust discharge port 33 as shown in FIG. (Suction port 31) and a dust suction port 77, which will be described later, are hermetically connected, and dust can be transferred from the vacuum cleaner 11 (dust collecting unit 46) to the dust station 12 (dust storing unit 63 (FIG. 8)). It will be said that it will be in a state.

  The case body 61 shown in FIG. 8 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin, and includes an electric blower 62, a dust container 63, a station signal receiver 64, an induction signal transmitter 65, and a controller 66 (FIG. 6 (b)). And a main body portion 71 including a charging circuit 68 (FIG. 6B) and a mounting portion 72 that protrudes from the lower portion of the main body portion 71 and from which the charging terminals 69 and 69 are exposed.

  The main body portion 71 is formed along the up-down direction that rises with respect to the floor surface.

  The mounting portion 72 is a portion extending in a plate shape along the floor surface. The mounting portion 72 on which the driving wheels 34 and 34 (FIG. 7) of the vacuum cleaner 11 directly ride and the main body case 20 of the vacuum cleaner 11 A facing portion 75 facing the lower portion is integrally provided.

  The riding section 74 is in a lower position at a position closer to the rear than the central axis of the drive wheels 34 and 34 (FIG. 7) of the main body case 20 of the vacuum cleaner 11 with the vacuum cleaner 11 connected to the dust station 12. It is a portion that is located, and is provided at the tip side of the mounting portion 72, that is, at a position separated from the main body portion 71. The riding portion 74 is formed to have a smaller vertical dimension, that is, a thickness, than the facing portion 75. Further, on both sides in the width direction of the riding portion 74, a riding recess 74a on which the driving wheels 34, 34 (FIG. 7) of the vacuum cleaner 11 on the riding portion 74 rides is formed. The riding recess 74a is continuously formed on the tip side opposite to the facing portion 75 of the riding portion 74, and is formed with a thickness smaller than other portions of the riding portion 74. The riding recess 74a may be provided with a guide portion for guiding the drive wheels 34, 34 (FIG. 7).

  The facing portion 75 is a suction port 31 (behind the center axis of the drive wheels 34, 34 (FIG. 7) of the main body case 20 of the vacuum cleaner 11 in a state where the vacuum cleaner 11 is connected to the dust station 12. FIG. 7) is a portion located at the lower part of the subsequent position, and forms the base end side of the mounting portion 72 that is directly continuous with the lower end portion of the main body portion 71. Charging terminals 69 and 69 are arranged in the facing portion 75 so as to be spaced apart from each other in the width direction, and in the center between the charging terminals 69 and 69, dust as a (first) station suction port is provided. A suction port 77 is opened. The opposing portion 75 may be provided with a side dust inlet as a (second) station inlet for sucking up dust collected by a dust control product such as a mop, for example, separately from the dust inlet 77. Good.

  The dust suction port 77 communicates with the dust container 63, and communicates with the dust discharge port 33 (FIG. 1) of the vacuum cleaner 11 in a state where the vacuum cleaner 11 is connected to the dust station 12. . The dust suction port 77 is formed, for example, in a square shape, and a seal member 78 for airtight connection with the dust discharge port 33 (FIG. 1) is attached to the outer edge portion. In addition, a hook 79 serving as a lid opening / closing portion for opening and closing the lid 52 (FIG. 1) as the electric vacuum cleaner 11 is attached to and detached from the dust station 12 is provided inside the dust suction port 77. Projected. Further, the dust suction port 77 is airtightly connected to the dust container 63 via a duct portion (not shown). When the facing portion 75 is provided with the above-described side dust suction port, the duct portion is connected to switching means such as a switching valve (switching) so as to communicate with either the dust suction port 77 or the side dust suction port. Part).

  The seal member 78 is a packing for blocking air leakage at the time of connection between the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77, and is formed of a member such as rubber or elastomer, for example. That is, the seal member 78 is a soft member and has elasticity and flexibility. As shown in FIG. 5, the seal member 78 is integrally provided with a seal member main body 81 located around the dust suction port 77 and a lip portion 82 as a contact portion provided in the seal member main body 81. Yes. Further, the seal member 78 is provided with a parallel surface 83 that contacts the contact surface 51 along a direction substantially parallel to the contact surface 51. Further, the seal member 78 is arranged so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the case body 61 (mounting portion 72 (opposing portion 75)) shown in FIG. Further, the seal member 78 is urged upward by a coil spring 84 as urging means. In addition, the seal member 78 is subjected to texture processing (processing to make the surface finely roughened) at a position where it comes into contact with the contact surface 51, that is, the upper portion including the parallel surface 83. The seal member 78 moves downwardly away from the contact surface 51 when the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are connected, and the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 face each other vertically. In the state (state where the vacuum cleaner 11 is connected to the dust station 12), the contact surface 51 is pressed to keep the connection airtight.

  The seal member main body 81 is basically a portion that is embedded and disposed in the case body 61 (mounting portion 72 (opposing portion 75)). As shown in FIG. 5, a receiving member 86 for receiving the bias of the coil spring 84 is integrally attached to the seal member main body 81 on the back side. The receiving member 86 is formed of a member such as synthetic resin that is harder than the members constituting the seal member 78. The receiving member 86 is opened downward and is fitted to the back side of the seal member main body 81. Further, the upper end portion of the coil spring 84 is in contact with the receiving member 86. The receiving member 86 is provided with a retaining portion 87 protruding from the lower end portion so that the sealing member 78 does not fall upward with respect to the bias of the coil spring 84.

  The lip portion 82 shown in FIG. 1 protrudes upward from the case body 61 (mounting portion 72 (opposing portion 75)) and is pressed against the contact surface 51 that is the outer edge portion of the dust discharge port 33 of the vacuum cleaner 11. It is a part to be done. That is, the parallel surface 83 is provided on the upper portion of the lip portion 82. The lip portion 82 has a free end shape in which a base end portion is connected to an inner edge portion of the seal member main body 81 and a distal end portion protrudes upward toward an outer edge portion of the seal member main body 81. That is, the lip portion 82 is a deformable portion that is separated from the seal member main body 81 at the front end side and deforms toward the seal member main body 81 side when the parallel surface 83 contacts the contact surface 51. . Further, the parallel surface 83 provided on the lip portion 82 is in a state where the lip portion 82 is most advanced upward, that is, on the contact surface 51 side of the vacuum cleaner 11, that is, the coil spring 84 is in contact with the contact surface 51 and the seal member 78 ( The position in a state in which it is not shrunk by contact with the parallel surface 83) is a position where it wraps around the contact surface 51 that is the outer edge of the dust discharge port 33. That is, when the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83) is virtually overlapped with the dust station 12 at a position where the vacuum cleaner 11 is connected (shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 5), the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83) It is a position that overlaps vertically. In other words, the upper end portion (parallel surface 83) of the seal member 78 causes each driving wheel 34 (FIG. 7) of the vacuum cleaner 11 to virtually ride on the upper portion 74 (mounting portion 72) of the dust station 12. It is located above the contact surface 51 at the time.

  The lower end of the coil spring 84 is supported by the case body 61. The coil springs 84 are disposed at, for example, the four corners of the seal member main body 81, and are configured to urge the entire seal member 78 substantially uniformly upward.

  In the hook portion 79, a rotation shaft 79 a located on the base end side is pivotally supported by the dust station 12. The hook 79 is inserted into the hook groove 54 of the lid 52 as the vacuum cleaner 11 approaches the dust station 12, and the vacuum cleaner 11 further approaches the dust station 12 so that the vacuum cleaner The lid 52 is turned against the urging of the coil spring 53 until it is turned to the position where the charging terminals 69, 69 are connected to the charging terminals 59, 59. It opens downward and exposes the dust outlet 33.

  The electric blower 62 shown in FIG. 8 sucks dust into the dust container 63 through the dust suction port 77 together with air, and draws the collected air from an exhaust opening (not shown) provided in the case body 61. It is configured to exhaust.

  The dust container 63 is a dust collection box that can be attached to and detached from the case body 61 and that transfers dust stored in the dust collector 46 of the electric vacuum cleaner 11 to house the dust container. The dust container 63 is provided with a communication opening (not shown) that communicates with the dust suction port 77 (via the duct portion) and an exhaust opening (not shown) that communicates with the suction side of the electric blower 62 in the front-rear direction. Along with the communication opening, the electric blower 62 is driven so that the dust sucked from the dust suction port 77 together with the air is stored inside. In addition, a filter body (not shown) for preventing dust contained in the passing air from being sucked into the electric blower 62 is disposed in the dust container 63.

  The station signal receiving unit 64 is provided at a position above the mounting unit 72 in the main body 71, for example. The station signal receiving unit 64 receives the feedback request signal from the electric vacuum cleaner 11 so that the induction signal transmitting unit 65 outputs the induction signal B.

  The induction signal transmission unit 65 is provided at a position above the placement unit 72 and the station signal reception unit 64 in the main body 71, for example. The induction signal transmission unit 65 outputs the induction signal B with a relatively narrow directivity. For example, a pair of the induction signal transmitters 65 are provided in the present embodiment, and output such that the induction signals B (induction signals Ba and Bb) partially overlap each other (FIGS. 9A and 9B). )).

  The control unit 66 shown in FIG. 6B is, for example, a microcomputer, and controls the operations of the electric blower 62, the station signal receiving unit 64, the induction signal transmitting unit 65, the charging circuit 68, and the like. The control unit 66 includes, for example, an induction mode in which the station signal reception unit 64 and the induction signal transmission unit 65 are operated without operating the electric blower 62, and a dust collection unit 46 of the electric vacuum cleaner 11 by operating the electric blower 62. (FIG. 8) A transfer mode for transferring the dust in the dust storage unit 63, a charging mode for operating the charging circuit 68 to charge the secondary battery 28, and a standby mode for stopping the operation of each unit are provided. Yes.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the vacuum cleaner 11, for example, the control means 27 switches from the standby mode to the travel mode at a predetermined timing such as when a preset cleaning start time is reached or when a cleaning start command is received from a remote control or the like. Then, the traveling unit 21 is driven to leave the dust station 12. Then, the control means 27 drives the motors 35 and 35 (drive wheels 34 and 34) in response to the detection from the object detection means 57 and the step detection means 58 of the sensor unit 26 to avoid obstacles and steps. While the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) travels all over the floor surface in the cleaning area, the cleaning unit 22 is driven to clean the floor surface dust and collect it in the dust collecting unit 46. In this cleaning operation, for example, a plurality of cleaning modes having different travel routes, travel control, and the like of the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) can be appropriately selected and used.

  At this time, the rotating brush 42 rotated by the control means 27 (via the brush motor 43) scrapes off dust on the floor surface. Then, due to the negative pressure acting on the suction port 31 by driving the electric blower 41, the dust on the floor and the dust scraped off by the rotating brush 42 are sucked into the dust collecting part 46 together with the air, and this dust collecting part Accumulated to 46. The air in which dust is accumulated in the dust collecting part 46 is sucked into the electric blower 41 via the filter part, and after cooling the electric blower 41, the air is discharged from the exhaust port 32 to the outside of the vacuum cleaner 11. Exhausted. If the electric blower 41 is not provided, the dust scraped off by the rotating brush 42 is scraped up to the dust collecting unit 46 by the rotation of the rotating brush 42 and collected in the dust collecting unit 46. May be.

  When cleaning is completed, the control means 27 stops the electric blower 41, the rotating brush 42 (brush motor 43), the side brush 44 (side brush motor 45), etc., and generates a feedback request signal, for example, the drive wheels 34, 34 ( While controlling the motors 35 and 35) to turn the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) on the floor, the signal transmission unit 55 is controlled to output a feedback request signal from the signal transmission unit 55 to the outside. . In the dust station 12, when the feedback request signal is received by the station signal receiving unit 64, the mode is switched to the induction mode, and the control unit 66 generates the induction signal B and controls the operation of the induction signal transmission unit 65, and this induction signal An induction signal B (induction signals Ba and Bb) is output from the transmitter 65. Further, in the vacuum cleaner 11 that has received the induction signal B (induction signals Ba and Bb) by the signal receivers 56 and 56, the control means 27 controls the operation of the drive wheels 34 and 34 (motors 35 and 35). To the guidance signal B (Fig. 9 (a)), and after turning to the dust station 12 side, that is, the dust collection part 46 side, the dust signals along the part where the guidance signals Ba and Bb overlap. It moves backward to the station 12 and approaches (Fig. 9 (b)). It should be noted that any other method can be used as a method of guiding the vacuum cleaner 11 to the dust station 12.

  Then, when the driving wheels 34, 34 ride on the mounting portion 72 (the riding upper portion 74) by the riding recesses 74a, 74a and further move backward (FIG. 1), the hooking portion 79 of the electric vacuum cleaner 11 performs the electric cleaning. It is inserted into the hooking groove portion 54 of the lid 52 located on the lower rear side of the machine 11 (main body case 20) (FIG. 2). In this state, when the vacuum cleaner 11 further moves backward, the hook portion 79 rotates downward to rotate the lid body 52 against the urging force of the coil spring 53. The contact surface 51 surrounding the dust discharge port 33 of the vacuum cleaner 11 is in contact with the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) of the dust station 12, so that the seal member 78 resists the bias of the coil spring 84. Then, it moves downward and escapes away from the contact surface 51 (FIGS. 2 and 3). At this time, since the seal member 78 is urged upward by the coil spring 84, the seal member 78 (the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) maintains contact with the contact surface 51. Thereafter, when the vacuum cleaner 11 moves backward to the rearmost part, the contact surface 51 becomes the seal member 78 (parallel surface 83) by the seal member 78 in which the upper portion (parallel surface 83) that contacts the contact surface 51 is subjected to the embossing process. On the other hand, if the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 that are exposed when the cover 52 is completely opened are exposed to each other without causing excessive frictional force (sliding resistance), the coil spring The seal member 78 (the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) urged upward toward the contact surface 51 by the return of 84 is pressed against the contact surface 51, and the charging terminals 59 and 59 are connected to the dust station 12. Mechanically and electrically connected to charging terminals 69, 69. In this state, the vacuum cleaner 11 stops moving backward, the control means 27 ends the traveling mode, and the dust station 12 stops the output of the induction signal B from the station signal transmission unit 64.

  That is, in a state where the vacuum cleaner 11 is connected to the dust station 12, the charging terminals 59, 59 and the charging terminals 69, 69 are mechanically and electrically connected to each other, and the dust discharge port 33 (the dust collecting portion 46) is connected. ) And the dust suction port 77 are hermetically connected via the seal member 78 (FIG. 4).

  Then, the control means 27 switches to the transfer mode immediately after the traveling mode ends or with a standby mode for a predetermined time. At the same time, the controller 66 also switches to the transfer mode. Then, the control unit 66 drives the electric blower 62 for a predetermined time, so that the dust collected in the dust collection unit 46 of the vacuum cleaner 11 from the dust suction port 77 is stored in the dust through the dust discharge port 33. Inhale and transfer to part 63. At this time, the control means 27 drives the rotary brush 42 (brush motor 43) to rotate and causes the electric blower 41 to operate intermittently so that dust attached to the rotary brush 42 is also transferred to the dust container 63. And so on.

  The control means 27 and the control unit 66 are each switched to the charging mode when the transfer mode is completed, and are switched to the standby mode when the secondary battery 28 is charged by the charging circuit 68.

  Thus, according to the first embodiment, the seal member 78 moves in a direction away from the contact surface 51 when the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are connected. The friction between the seal member 78 (the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) and the contact surface 51 can be suppressed at the time of connecting the dust station 12 to the dust station 12, and the drive torque of the drive wheels 34, 34 due to this friction is caused by insufficient driving torque. Suppressing slip of drive wheels 34, 34, etc., until dust discharge port 33 and dust suction port 77 face each other (and until charging terminals 59, 59 and charging terminals 69, 69 are connected) The vacuum cleaner 11 can be reliably driven with respect to the dust station 12, and the vacuum cleaner 11 and the dust station 12 can be connected at a more accurate position. The seal member 78 is pressed against the contact surface 51 in a state where the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are opposed to each other and maintains the airtightness of the connection, so that the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are more reliably connected. Can be connected to the air outlet, and air can be prevented from leaking at the connection position between the dust outlet 33 and the dust inlet 77 when transferring dust from the dust collector 46 to the dust container 63. Can be transported to. In addition, since the charging terminals 59, 59 and the charging terminals 69, 69 can be reliably connected, the secondary battery 28 can be reliably charged.

  Further, since the seal member 78 is formed of a soft material such as rubber or elastomer, the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) can be more securely adhered to the contact surface 51. The seal member 78 can be moved downward with an appropriate grip force.

  Further, since the seal member 78 is urged by the coil spring 84 in the direction of pressure contact with the contact surface 51, the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) is kept in close contact with the contact surface 51 for sealing. The member 78 can be moved up and down.

  Further, the position where the seal member 78 (lip portion (82 (parallel surface 83)) is most advanced to the contact surface 51 side is a position that wraps against the contact surface 51, so the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port In the state where the port 77 is opposed, the seal member 78 (lip portion (82 (parallel surface 83))) can be more closely attached to the contact surface 51, and the dust collecting portion 46 of the vacuum cleaner 11 can be connected to the dust station. The negative pressure of the electric blower 62 during the transfer of dust to the 12 dust accommodating parts 63 can be maintained, and the sealing member 78 (lip part (82 (parallel surface 83)) is placed in an appropriate position by the bias of the coil spring 84. Can be put.

  Further, by forming a parallel surface 83 substantially parallel to the contact surface 51 on the seal member 78, the contact surface 51 and the parallel surface 83 are brought into contact with each other when the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are connected. The pressure can be improved, a suitable grip force can be generated, the seal member 78 can be reliably moved downward, and the parallel surface 83 is opposed to the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77. By making contact with the contact surface 51 in this state, the seal member 78 and the contact surface 51 can be more reliably brought into close contact with each other when the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 face each other.

  Further, since the seal member 78 has been subjected to the texture processing at the position where it comes into contact with the contact surface 51 (the upper portion (parallel surface 83) of the lip portion 82), the contact surface 51 and the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83) )) And the seal member 78 (the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) that has moved downward and escaped is kept in close contact with the contact surface 51 by the bias of the coil spring 84. Even if the 11 travels closer to the dust station 12, the resistance (sliding resistance) does not increase, and the contact surface 51 and the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) remain in close contact for a long time. However, the adhesion and deformation / discoloration between the contact surface 51 and the seal member 78 due to the transition of the seal member 78 and the deterioration of the physical properties of the seal member 78 can be suppressed, and the grip force can be stably maintained. The seal member 78 can be stably pushed down. Further, compared with the case where, for example, a groove is provided in the seal member 78, the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 face each other, and the contact surface 51 and the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) are formed. Air leakage can be suppressed in a close contact state. In addition, when the vacuum cleaner 11 is detached from the dust station 12, the friction is less and it can be separated more easily.

  Furthermore, since the contact surface 51 protrudes from the lower surface 30, the seal member 78 (the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) can be more closely attached to the contact surface 51.

  Further, since the seal member 78 is biased by the coil spring 84 via the hard receiving member 86, the bias of the coil spring 84 can be reliably received even if the seal member 78 is soft.

  In the first embodiment, the seal member 78 may be disposed on the outer edge of the dust discharge port 33 of the vacuum cleaner 11 and the contact surface 51 may be formed on the outer edge of the dust suction port 77 of the dust station 12. Similar effects can be obtained.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the structure and effect | action similar to the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the electric vacuum cleaner 11 of the first embodiment includes a recess 91, and the dust station 12 includes a protrusion 92 that can be fitted into the recess 91. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the recess 91 is provided, for example, at a position spaced apart on both sides of the contact surface 51 on the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20 of the vacuum cleaner 11. Accordingly, these recesses 91 are arranged at positions separated from each other on the left and right. The arrangement of the recesses 91 is line-symmetric with respect to the left and right of the electric vacuum cleaner 11, for example. Further, these concave portions 91 are located in the vicinity of the front end portion of the contact surface 51. Further, the top surface portions of these recesses 91 are guide surfaces 94 that gradually incline upward from the rear side to the front side.

  The protrusions 92 shown in FIG. 13 are disposed so as to be separated from the left and right in correspondence with the recesses 91. These projecting portions 92 project from an upper portion of a base portion 96 provided integrally with the seal member 78. These projections 92 are arranged on both sides of the dust station 12 in front of the dust suction port 77 of the mounting portion 72 (opposing portion 75), that is, on both sides of the front of the seal member 78. Further, these protrusions 92 are provided so as to protrude upward from the upper surface of the mounting portion 72 (opposing portion 75) of the dust station 12. Further, these protrusions 92 are formed in a triangular shape when viewed from the side. These projections 92 are urged upward by the base 96 by the coil spring 84 together with the seal member 78. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 11, these protrusions 92 are pushed down by the contact with the lower surface 30 of the vacuum cleaner 11 when the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 are connected to the contact surface 51 together with the seal member 78. The coil spring 84 is energized when the dust outlet 33 and the dust inlet 77 are vertically opposed to each other (the vacuum cleaner 11 is connected to the dust station 12). As shown in FIG. 12, it is configured to fit into the recess 91.

  For example, the base 96 is formed in a longitudinal shape in the left-right direction, that is, in a horizontally long shape, and is embedded in the case body 61 and disposed. The base 96 is formed of a member such as a hard synthetic resin together with the protrusion 92.

  When cleaning is completed and the vacuum cleaner 11 moves backward to the dust station 12, the drive wheels 34, 34 ride on the mounting part 72 (the upper part 74) at the upper and lower recesses 74a, 74a. Further, when the vehicle is further moved backward, the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20 of the vacuum cleaner 11 first comes into contact with the protrusion 92, so that the base 96 provided with the protrusion 92 and the sealing member 78 integrally with the protrusion 92 are provided. Moves downward in the direction away from the contact surface 51 against the bias of the coil spring 84 and escapes (FIG. 11). At this time, the tip of the projection 92 is kept in contact with the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20 by being biased by the coil spring 84. In this state, when the vacuum cleaner 11 further moves backward, the hook 79 of the vacuum cleaner 11 is inserted into the hook groove 54 of the lid 52 located on the lower rear side of the vacuum cleaner 11 (main body case 20) and hooked. By rotating the portion 79 downward, the lid 52 is rotated downward against the bias of the coil spring 53. Then, when the vacuum cleaner 11 moves backward to the last part, the projecting portion 92 gradually protrudes upward along the guide surface 94 of the recessed portion 91 by the return of the coil spring 84, so that the seal member 78 gradually rises, and the lid When the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 that are exposed when the body 52 is completely opened are positioned vertically opposite to each other, the projection 92 is fitted into the recess 91 and the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (plane 83) ) Is in pressure contact with the contact surface 51 (FIG. 12), and the charging terminals 59, 59 are mechanically and electrically connected to the charging terminals 69, 69 of the dust station 12.

  When the vacuum cleaner 11 is detached from the dust station 12, when the vacuum cleaner 11 moves forward, the tip of the projection 92 maintains contact with the guide surface 94 of the recess 91, so that the seal member 78 is Since the projection 92 moves downward against the bias of the coil spring 84 and comes out of the recess 91 and does not get caught in the recess 91, the detachment of the vacuum cleaner 11 from the dust station 12 is prevented. 91 does not interfere with the fitting.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the protrusion 92 provided integrally with the seal member 83 is brought into contact with the vacuum cleaner 11 to connect the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 with this protrusion. Since the seal member 78 is moved downward along with the portion 92 away from the contact surface 51, the seal member 78 (the lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) can be released without contacting the contact surface 51. . Therefore, the friction between the seal member 78 (lip portion 82 (parallel surface 83)) and the contact surface 51 can be substantially eliminated, and the material, hardness, and processing of the seal member 78 can be reduced with the friction with the contact surface 51. Can be selected without considering.

  In addition, when the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 face each other, the projection 92 fits into the recess 91, so that the accuracy of positioning the vacuum cleaner 11 with the dust station 12 is further improved. The vacuum cleaner 11 and the dust station 12 can be reliably connected at a more accurate position. Accordingly, the dust discharge port 33 and the dust suction port 77 can be more reliably connected, and the charging terminals 59 and 59 and the charging terminals 69 and 69 can be more reliably connected.

  Furthermore, since the protrusion 92 contacts the lower surface 30 only with a sharp tip, there is little friction with the lower surface 30, and when the vacuum cleaner 11 and the dust station 12 are connected, the vacuum cleaner can be made with a smaller frictional force. 11 can be reliably driven with respect to the dust station 12, and the vacuum cleaner 11 and the dust station 12 can be connected at a more accurate position.

  In the second embodiment, the sealing member 78 may be disposed on the outer edge of the dust discharge port 33 of the vacuum cleaner 11, and the contact surface 51 may be formed on the outer edge of the dust suction port 77 of the dust station 12. it can. In this case, by providing the recess 91 on the dust station 12 side and providing the protrusion 92 (base 96) on the vacuum cleaner 11, the same operational effects can be achieved.

  In each of the above embodiments, the seal member 78 includes the lip portion 82, and the parallel surface 83 is provided on the upper portion of the lip portion 82. However, the seal member 78 does not include the lip portion 82, and the upper portion of the seal member main body 81. Alternatively, the parallel plane 83 may be directly provided.

  Further, the dust discharge port 33 is opened downward on the lower surface 30 of the main body case 20 of the vacuum cleaner 11, and the dust suction port 77 of the dust station 12 is opened upward. You can also.

  In addition, since the dust station 12 has a charging function, the dust in the dust collector 46 is transferred to the dust container 63 at the end of cleaning. It can also be performed when dust is accumulated. In this case, when the transfer is completed, the vacuum cleaner 11 may be detached from the dust station 12 and the cleaning may be resumed, or the cleaning may be completed as it is.

  Furthermore, although the continuous contact surface 51 surrounding the dust discharge port 33 is formed as the contact portion, for example, an intermittent surface contact surface may be formed as the contact portion, or it may be formed in a rib shape, etc. It is good.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, it is possible to connect the vacuum cleaner 11 and the dust station 12 at a more accurate position, transfer dust from the dust collection unit 46 to the dust storage unit 63, and the secondary battery 28. Can be reliably charged.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

10 Vacuum cleaner
11 Vacuum cleaner
12 Dust station
20 Main unit case
22 Cleaning section
33 Dust outlet
34 Drive wheels as drive units
46 Dust collector
51 Contact surface which is the contact part
62 Electric blower as suction means
63 Dust container
77 Dust inlet
78 Seal member
83 parallel plane
84 Coil spring as biasing means
91 recess
92 Projection

Claims (6)

A vacuum cleaner,
A dust station to which this vacuum cleaner is connected,
The vacuum cleaner is
A body case,
A drive unit that allows the main body case to travel;
A cleaning section for cleaning,
A dust collecting unit for collecting dust cleaned by the cleaning unit;
A dust discharge port for transferring the dust collected in the dust collection unit to the dust station is provided in either the upper part or the lower part of the main body case in communication with the dust collection part,
The dust station is
A dust inlet connected to the dust outlet;
A dust container communicating with the dust suction port;
A suction means for sucking dust from the dust collection portion into the dust container from the dust discharge port connected to the dust suction port via the dust suction port;
A contact portion is provided on either the outer edge of the dust discharge port or the outer edge of the dust suction port,
When the dust discharge port and the dust suction port are connected to the other one of the outer edge portion of the dust discharge port and the outer edge portion of the dust suction port, the dust discharge port moves in a direction away from the contact portion. In the state where the dust suction port and the dust suction port face each other, a sealing member is provided that is pressed against the contact portion and maintains the airtightness of the connection. The electric cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising an urging unit that urges the seal member in a direction of pressure contact with the contact portion. The electric cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the seal member has a position where the most advanced position toward the contact portion is a position where the seal member wraps against the contact portion. Either the vacuum cleaner or the dust station has a recess,
The other of the vacuum cleaner and the dust station is provided integrally with a seal member. When the dust discharge port and the dust suction port are connected to each other due to the contact between the vacuum cleaner and one of the dust stations, the contact portion together with the seal member is provided. And a projection that fits into the recess when the dust discharge port and the dust suction port are opposed to each other. The electric vacuum cleaner as described. The contact part is a contact surface,
5. The seal member according to claim 2, wherein the seal member includes a parallel surface that is provided substantially in parallel with the contact surface and contacts the contact surface in a state where the dust discharge port and the dust suction port face each other. The electric vacuum cleaner as described. The electric vacuum cleaner according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the sealing member is subjected to a textured process at a position where it comes into contact with the contact portion.

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