JP6010722B2 - Robot vacuum cleaner, dust discharge station and multi-stage cyclone vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

Related applications

  This application claims priority from US patent application 61/367723 (filing date: August 1, 2011).

  The present invention relates to a robot cleaner capable of easily discharging dust and a dust discharge station thereof.

  Robotic vacuum cleaners are expected to be very useful devices that autonomously clean the floor of a house and replace a substantial portion of conventional non-robot vacuum cleaners. Several conventional methods for dealing with dust discharge in robot cleaners have been proposed.

  US 5787545B describes a system comprising a discharge unit for discharging dust from a robot cleaner. US7053578B describes a system for discharging dust from the bottom of a robot cleaner using a suction extraction assembly that generates negative pressure at the charging station. US6072226B and US6327741B describe a system that collects dust from the top of a robot cleaner driven by a central processing unit.

  Obviously, the above-described conventional method requires relatively complicated equipment inside, and it is necessary to generate a negative pressure in a part of the station in order to collect dust in the robot cleaner. Also, the method by which the user discharges the dust from the station is similar to a normal vacuum cleaner despite the dust already collected in the robot cleaner.

  Furthermore, it is difficult to completely discharge the dust in the multistage cyclone cleaner.

  Compared with a normal non-robot cleaner, the robot cleaner has the following problems.

(1) Since the dust storage capacity is small, it is necessary for the user to frequently discharge dust. (2) It is necessary to simplify the discharge of dust from the dust container. (3) The suction force is low.

  The above conventional method cannot satisfactorily solve all of the above problems.

  An object of the present invention is to satisfactorily solve the above problems (1) to (3), eliminate the need for frequent dust discharge by a user, and discharge dust collected by a robot cleaner. It is to provide efficient equipment. The present invention further provides a multi-stage cyclone cleaner that can discharge dust well.

  The device of the present invention comprises the elements recited in the claims.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a robot cleaner capable of autonomously collecting and collecting dust and discharging dust to a dust discharge station, a dust container for storing dust, and a dust container There is provided a robot cleaner having a dust inlet for collecting dust, and a dust container opening / closing mechanism provided on the bottom surface of the robot cleaner for discharging dust collected in the dust container.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a dust discharge station capable of collecting dust from a vacuum cleaner, the base for the vacuum cleaner for providing a base for the vacuum cleaner and placing the vacuum cleaner in a dust discharge position A dust receiver that is provided at the vacuum cleaner stand and is adapted to receive dust from the cleaner at the dust discharge position, and a container that is disposed under the dust receiver and holds the dust container in the station And a dust discharge station for receiving dust collected by the cleaner from the cleaner due to at least gravity, and providing a dust path by the dust receiver and the dust container in the station. A dust discharge station is provided for receiving into the inner dust container.

  In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a first cyclone for separating dust having an inlet for receiving gas in the floor and a gas outlet in the center of the first cyclone, and a plurality for separating dust smaller than the first cyclone. Each of the second cyclones, wherein each of the second cyclones is smaller than the first cyclone, and the gas from the outlet of the first cyclone is supplied to the inlet of the second cyclone, the blowing cyclone, and the vibration mechanism And a multistage cyclone cleaner provided with a dust discharge promoting mechanism for promoting the removal of dust inside a dust container selected from the group consisting of a stirrer.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a robot cleaner system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the robot cleaner system 1 and a bottom view of the cover of the robot cleaner system when dust is discharged. FIG. 3 shows a side view of the robot cleaner system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the discharge process. FIG. 5 shows a side view of a robot cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the dust inlet is also used as a dust outlet. FIG. 6 shows a multi-stage cyclone cleaner according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows the bottom surface of the robot cleaner 50. FIG. 8 shows a robot cleaner using a fan-shaped cover plate. FIG. 9A shows a robot cleaner in which a rectangular cover plate and two rail guides are used. FIG. 9B shows a side view of the robot cleaner of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C shows a side view of a robot cleaner according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of a robot cleaner provided with a dust container 56-1 having a circular cross section. FIG. 11 shows a bottom view of a robot cleaner having a dust inlet 54 that also functions as a dust outlet. FIG. 12A illustrates a manual dust discharge system according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows a dust collection system having a lift mechanism. FIG. 14 shows a dust collection system of the present invention having a sprayer 19-1 for removing dust in the dust container 56 in the cleaner. FIG. 15 shows the dust collection system of the present invention having a stirrer for removing dust in the dust container 56 in the cleaner. FIG. 16 shows the dust collection system of the present invention having a telescopic rotary sprayer for removing dust in the dust container 56 in the cleaner.

  The present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or similar elements are assigned the same or similar numbers.

(1) Overall System FIG. 1 shows a side view of a robot cleaner system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The robot cleaner system 1 includes a robot cleaner station 10 for cleaning the floor 5 of the user's house and a self-propelled robot cleaner 50.

  The robot cleaner station 10 functions as a charging station and a dust discharge station for the robot cleaner 50, and the robot cleaner 50 is autonomously or to the robot cleaner station 10 when commanded by a remote control device. Come on.

(2) Robot vacuum cleaner station 10
The robot cleaner station 10 includes a dust collection system 12 and a battery charger 30 on the dust collection system 12. The battery charger 30 has a contact terminal 32 for charging the secondary battery 52 in the robot cleaner 50. Alternatively, the battery charger 30 may be a non-contact charging device that uses a coil that induces an electromagnetic field.

  The dust collection system 12 includes a casing 13, a cover 16, a dust wall 18, a conduit 21, a dust container 20 in the station, a dust container holder (holder: holder) including a holder piece 26, an upper holder piece fastener 22 and a lower holder piece. A fastener 24 (fastener: fixture) is provided. In this case, the in-station dust container 20 is a plastic bag (polybag) that is discarded every time it is used.

  The use of a disposable plastic bag is advantageous because the user can discard the plastic bag to the garbage dump without handling the dust. Alternatively, the in-station dust container 20 may be a hard plastic container in which a user can set a disposable plastic bag. This is advantageous because the plastic bag does not rupture when the plastic bag is full. Further, in order to collect the dust in the in-station dust container 20, the volume of the in-station dust container 20 is reduced when a gas blow flow is used to create a cyclone centrifugal system in the in-station dust container 20. It can also be advantageous in that it can be limited.

  When the in-station dust container 20 is nearly full, the user disengages the in-station dust container holder to discard the plastic bag to the garbage collection site.

  Preferably, the height of the upper surface of the dust collection system 12 is substantially the same as the height of the floor 5 to be cleaned so that the robot cleaner 50 can easily return to the upper surface of the dust collection system 12. To accomplish this, the dust collection system 12 includes adjustable legs made of a plurality of poles and seams. This is advantageous in that it adjusts to the floor of various users. The dust collection system 12 may have a door (as shown in FIG. 11) to accommodate the in-station dust container. Furthermore, the dust collection system 12 may have a shape for setting the system in steps of steps downstairs.

(3) Robot cleaner 50
The robot cleaner 50 is a self-propelled autonomous cleaner that cleans the floor 5 alone without human operation. An example of a similar robot cleaner is the Roomba® series released by iRobot. The robot cleaner 50 includes a housing, three tires 62, a dust inlet 54, a dust container 56 in the cleaner, a dust container cover 66, a dust wall receiver 64, a dust filter 57, a motor fan unit 61, and a gas outlet.

  The robot cleaner 50 uses the negative pressure generated by the motor fan unit 61 to collect the dust 60 into the cleaner dust container 56 through the dust inlet 54. Note that dust includes any substance that is collected by a robot cleaner.

  The dust container 56 in the cleaner is smaller than a normal vacuum cleaner. This is because the robot cleaner 50 is small in order to clean a small space and make the battery last longer. That is, in general, in a robot cleaner, the necessity of discharging dust from the dust container 56 in the cleaner is stricter than that of a normal vacuum cleaner.

  The motor of the motor fan unit 61 rotates the fan to generate a negative pressure at the dust inlet and the dust container 56 in the vacuum cleaner, and uses the filter 57 to separate the dust from the gas to the dust container 56 in the vacuum cleaner. Keep dust.

  Alternatively, this separation may be performed using a cyclone mechanism that separates dust from the gas using centrifugal force as described below.

  Power is supplied to the motor by the secondary battery. Therefore, the robot cleaner 50 requires the robot cleaner station 10 to charge the battery.

(4) Discharge Mechanism FIG. 2A shows a side view of the robot cleaner system 1 of FIG. 1 when dust is discharged.

  When the robot cleaner 50 is carried back to the robot cleaner station 10 autonomously or by the user, the charging device charges the robot cleaner 50 and discharges dust contained in the dust container 56 in the cleaner. The cover 16 on the top surface of the dust collection system 12 is opened automatically or by user operation. Thereafter, the dust collection system 12 raises the dust wall 18 so as to come into contact with the bottom surface of the robot cleaner 50 in order to avoid dust from being released into the open gas. In other words, the dust wall 18 provides sealing performance. In this embodiment, the dust wall 18 moves into a groove (not shown) formed in the bottom surface of the robot cleaner 50 to ensure that the dust does not escape into the open gas.

  On the other hand, the robot cleaner 50 opens the cover 66 in order to discharge dust. The dust receiver which is the dust wall 18 receives dust. At least under the influence of gravity, the dust falls downward to the in-station dust container 20 through the conduit 21 of the dust collection system 12.

  In this discharge process, the robot cleaner 50 may blow gas using one or a plurality of blowers 74 while the dust inlet valve 58 is closed. FIG. 2B shows the dust inlet valve 58 in the closed state in detail. Preferably, the dust inlet valve 58 has a one-way mechanism that opens the gas path in one direction. Preferably, this one-way mechanism uses one or more hinges. This opens the gas path only when the vacuum cleaner dust container 56 has a negative pressure and the sprayer 74 is not spraying. In FIG. 2B, the dust inlet valve 58 has two plates 58B and two hinges 58A, and these two plates 58B have overlapping regions 58C to enhance the sealing between the two plates 58B. Forming.

  The spraying energy of the sprayer 74 can be supplied using a spraying mechanism dedicated to the sprayer 74. Preferably, the gas is blown so as to form a pulse of 0.1 to 5 seconds. This is to reduce the total amount of gas to be blown, improve the blowing force, prevent the in-station dust container 20 from bursting, and save energy. Alternatively, the blowing energy of the blowing machine 74 can be supplied using the motor fan unit 61 to completely discharge the dust. This uses a valve mechanism to stop most of the airflow from the motor to the filter 57, open the valve 72 to the gas path from the motor into the cleaner dust container 56, and reverse the fan in the motor fan unit 61. This can be achieved by rotating. Therefore, the dust adhered to the filter 57 from the cleaner dust container 56 side can be blown away so as to return to the cleaner dust container 56 (see FIG. 3A).

In FIG. 3A, the valve 72 is provided on the filter 57 side with respect to the fan 61A. Instead, a valve 72 may be provided on the air flow outlet side where the final filter 57B is located with respect to the fan 61A. In this case, the robot cleaner 50 may have a mechanism for blowing off into the dust container 56 through a final filter 57 valve 72 and spray machines 74 small dust adheres in the vicinity or final filter 57 B own B.

  Further, the robot cleaner 50 may vibrate the robot cleaner 50 itself to support the discharge process. This vibration may be performed by an electric vibration device, and may be performed by using the tire to move the robot cleaner 50 forward and backward many times or by vibrating the tire. This may be done by striking against a wall in the robot cleaner station 10.

  The robot cleaner 50 may have a stirrer (agitator) for removing dust in the dust container 56 in the cleaner. Preferably, the stirrer has (ten) bundles of synthetic resin fibers having a length of 100 mm and a diameter of 0.3 mm. See agitator 19-3 in FIG. The stirrer rotates to move like a whip, thereby removing dust adhering to the inner wall of the dust container in the cleaner.

  FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the discharge process. The robot cleaner station 10 waits for the robot cleaner 50 to return to the station (step 302). The station, robot cleaner and / or user places the robot cleaner in the discharge position (step 304). The station, robot cleaner, and / or user opens the station cover (step 306). The station, robot cleaner, and / or user raises the dust wall of the station (step 308). The station, the robot cleaner, and / or the user opens the robot cleaner cover, closes the dust inlet valve, blows gas, or vibrates the dust container in the robot cleaner (step 310). The dust is then discharged (step 312). The spray / vibration is stopped and the cover is closed (step 314). The dust wall is lowered, that is, stored (step 316). The cover is closed (step 318). The robot cleaner cleans the station platform (ie, the top surface of the station) (step 320). If another cleaning session is programmed or the user desires, the robot cleaner initiates another cleaning session (step 322).

(5) Dust inlet also serving as a dust outlet FIG. 5 shows a side view of a robot cleaner system according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the dust inlet is also used as a dust outlet.

  In addition to functioning as an opening for collecting dust from the floor 5 instead of discharging dust from the opening of the dust container 56 in the vacuum cleaner provided in addition to the dust inlet 54, the dust inlet functioning as an opening of the dust container 56 in the vacuum cleaner Dust may be discharged from 54. This approach is advantageous in that it does not require a complex structure. Of course, the dust inlet 54 has a mechanism for preventing the collected dust from falling from the dust container 56 in the cleaner onto the floor 5 when collecting dust from the floor. When discharging dust from the dust container 56 in the cleaner, the robot cleaner 50 blows gas strongly using the sprayer 74 and / or vibrates the robot cleaner 50 itself.

(6) Cover Using Two Cover Plates FIG. 7 shows the bottom surface of the robot cleaner 50.

  On the bottom surface of the robot cleaner 50, there are three tires, a cover having a first plate and a second plate, and a first assist rod and a second assist rod. The first plate and the second plate overlap in the central region, and in this portion there is further a sealing member (not shown). One side (right) of the first plate and one side (left) of the second plate are fixed to the robot cleaner 50 using hinges. The side opposite to the side fixed to the robot cleaner 50 using a hinge may be locked, but can be separated from the robot cleaner 50 when the cover is opened from the center.

  When the cover plate is opened using an opening bar (not shown) and the mechanism is unlocked, the cover plate opens approximately 90 degrees from the closed position. This is to prevent dust from adhering to the cover. When closing the cover plate after the dust has been discharged, a closing rod can be used to close the cover plate and lock the cover plate in the locked position.

(7) Cover using a fan-shaped cover plate FIG. 8 shows a robot cleaner of the present invention using a fan-shaped cover plate.

  This approach uses three fan-shaped cover plates with three closing bars. This cover is particularly advantageous in cyclone cleaners where the dust container 56 in the cleaner has a circular cross-section (i.e., a cylindrical shape) and a circular cover is desirable for efficient dust discharge. These fan-shaped covers open like lens covers for digital cameras that can be opened and closed automatically. An example of such a lens cover is the lens cover LC-1 for the digital camera Ricoh GX 200 released by Ricoh Co., Ltd. Instead of three sector covers, 2, 4, 5, 6 sectors may be used. Of these, two sector covers or three sector covers are desirable. Alternatively, only one circular cover with a hinge structure on one side may be used.

(8) Cover Using Two Rails FIG. 9A shows a robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention that uses a rectangular cover plate and two rail guides. FIG. 9B shows a side view of the robot cleaner of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9C shows a side view of a robot cleaner according to another embodiment.

  This approach uses a generally rectangular cover plate 66-2 that engages two rail guides 82. The cover plate 66-2 has a pull / push member 76-4. The cover plate 66-2 is in contact with the robot cleaner 50 via a rectangular sealing element (not shown). This sealing element is like a weatherstrip used to seal between the glass panel and the mainframe in automotive retrofit sunroofs such as the Event 450 series released by Signature Automotive Products (Wixom, Michigan, USA) A hollow rubber material. This hollow rubber material is pressed when maintaining the sealing performance, and is excellent in durability even when the cover plate moves horizontally.

  The arrangement of the two rail guides 82 can be the same as the arrangement of the rail guides 33 in FIG. 12B.

  When opening the cover plate 66-2, the cover plate 66-2 is guided by the two rail guides 82 to the open position on the right side. This approach is advantageous to ensure closure. The pull / push member 76-4 may be manually pulled or pushed by the user from above the robot cleaner 50. Instead, the pull / push member 76-4 is automatically pulled or pushed using a gear mechanism 67 (see FIG. 9B) that engages the teeth provided on the pull / push member 76-4. May be.

  The pull / push member 76-4C of FIG. 9C is guided through the robot cleaner to a path that faces upward as compared to the pull / push member of FIG. 9B. This path reaches the top surface of the robot cleaner and allows the pull / push member 76-4C to protrude outward. Gear 67-1 drives pull / push member 76-4C. This embodiment is advantageous in that the pull / push member 76-4C guide is concealed from the outside. All of these mechanisms for opening and closing the cover of the robot cleaner 50 can be used to open and close the cover at the robot cleaner station 10. Details are not shown for the sake of brevity.

  FIG. 10 is a bottom view of a robot cleaner provided with a dust container 56-1 having a circular cross section. 10, the robot cleaner includes three tires 62, an inlet 54, a rectangular cover 66-1, a dust container 56-1 having a circular cross section, two rail guides 82, and a pull / push member 76-4. . A dust container having a circular cross section is advantageous because it easily falls off. This is because the wall of the dust container has a uniform round shape.

  FIG. 11 is a bottom view of a robot cleaner having a dust inlet 54 that also functions as a dust outlet. In FIG. 11, when the floor is cleaned, dust is collected through the dust inlet 54, and the dust is discharged through the dust inlet 54 (which also functions as a dust outlet). In order to realize this function, the robot cleaner needs a dust discharge promoting mechanism. This is because when the robot cleaner is cleaning the floor, it will be a problem if the dust falls off easily. This approach is advantageous because of the simplicity of the configuration.

(9) Dust Discharge in Multistage Cyclone Vacuum FIG. 6A shows a multistage cyclone cleaner 51 when dust is discharged. The multistage cyclone cleaner 51 is a robot cleaner that autonomously cleans the floor.

  The multistage cyclone cleaner 51 separates dust using a cyclone in which dust is separated from the center of the cyclone by centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the airflow. An example of a multi-stage cyclone vacuum cleaner is DC26 released by Dyson Technology Ltd.

  The multi-stage cyclone cleaner 51 includes a first cyclone 71 (which generates a first cyclone airflow around the first cyclone 71) and a plurality (six in this embodiment) of second cyclones 72 (each of which generates a second cyclone airflow). And smaller than the first cyclone 71). Since negative pressure is generated on the second cyclone 72 side and gas enters from the first cyclone inlet 71-1, a first cyclone airflow is generated. The floor gas containing dust enters the cleaner 51 through the inlet 54, then enters the first cyclone inlet 71-1, and enters the first cyclone 71. Here, relatively large-scale dust is separated from the gas. The relatively clean gas exits the first cyclone 71 from the center 71-2 of the first cyclone 71 and enters the inlets 72-1 of the plurality of second cyclones 72.

  The second cyclone 72 separates relatively small dust, for example, particles having a diameter of 1 to 100 μm. Some of the separated small dust falls down, but there are some that do not leave the wall of the second cyclone 72. A relatively clean gas exits the second cyclone 72 from the center 72-2 of the second cyclone 72 and enters the conduit 75, the filter 57, and the motor fan unit 61. An additional cyclone may be provided at the center 71-2 of the first cyclone 71 in order to improve the dust collection performance. In this case, this additional cyclone becomes the second cyclone, and each of the plurality of cyclones 72 becomes the third cyclone. The wall structure in the dust container 56 in the cleaner in the multistage cyclone cleaner 51 is relatively complicated as compared with the non-cyclone cleaner. Therefore, it is difficult to remove the dust in the dust container 56. The first and second cyclones 71 and 72 have vertical axes. Therefore, the cyclone airflow in the first and second cyclones 71 and 72 is generated so as to have a vertical axis. This is advantageous. This is because the dust adhering to the wall in the dust container 56 is likely to fall when the motor is stopped, as compared with the case where the first cyclone or the second cyclone does not have a vertical axis. In this vacuum cleaner, dust can be sufficiently separated using the first and second cyclones 71, 72, so there is no need for a filter before the fan in the airflow. Alternatively, the final filter 57B may be provided behind the fan 61A.

  When discharging dust in a conventional multi-stage cyclone vacuum cleaner, the user opens the cover (corresponding to the cover 66) and uses gravity, and possibly vibrates itself, in order to discharge the dust to the collector bag. . However, since the wall structure in the dust container 56 in the cleaner in the multistage cyclone cleaner 51 is relatively complicated as compared with the non-cyclone cleaner, it is difficult to remove dust well.

  Therefore, in order to remove dust in the second cyclone 72, the present invention uses a dust discharge promoting mechanism such as the sprayer 74 described above. Furthermore, the present invention uses the above-described vibration mechanism to remove dust in the second cyclone 72. Furthermore, the present invention uses the agitator described above to remove dust in the second cyclone 72.

  FIG. 6A also shows a dust discharge scheme for such a vacuum cleaner. Details are not shown for the sake of brevity. Of course, descriptions described for other embodiments can be applied to the multi-stage cyclone cleaner 51 of FIG. 6A. For example, the multistage cyclone cleaner 51 may be an autonomous robot cleaner, may have an automatic opening / closing mechanism, or may have the above-described valve.

(10) Second embodiment of multi-stage cyclone cleaner FIG. 6B shows a multi-stage cyclone cleaner according to another embodiment in which a fan 61A and a motor 61B are located above the first and second cyclones 71 and 72. Accordingly, the filter 58 is located between the second cyclone 72 and the fan 61A. The axes of the first cyclone 71, the fan 61A, and the motor 61B are substantially the same. This vacuum cleaner is advantageous. This is because the resistance of the airflow in the conduit 75 of FIG. 6A, which is relatively very long and thin, can be reduced, the size of the fan 61A can be increased, and the air can be exhausted upward from a relatively large area. Because.

(11) Third Embodiment of Multi-stage Cyclone Vacuum FIG. 6C shows that the fan 61A is located above the first and second cyclones 71 and 72, but the motor 61B is the second cyclone 72 at the center of the first cyclone 71. Fig. 5 shows a multi-stage cyclone vacuum cleaner according to another embodiment, located below. This approach is advantageous. This is because there is no need for a space for the motor 61B above the fan 61A, so that the overall height can be lowered compared to the cleaner of FIG. 6B, and the cleaner can enter a space with a low height. However, a long shaft is required between the motor 61B and the fan 61A, the motor 61B is fixed to the cleaner body, the shaft of the motor 61B is held with respect to the cleaner body, and grease is applied. Some shafts need to be protected from dust.

  In order to solve the above problem, the cleaner includes a motor shaft holder 78A and a motor holder 78B. The motor shaft holder 78A surrounds the motor shaft that connects the motor 61B and the fan 61A, and is fixed to the surface 72S of the second cyclone 72 and the motor 61B. Therefore, the motor shaft is hardly exposed to dust. That is, the motor shaft is exposed to dust only in a region close to the fan 61A. Preferably, a mechanism for reducing friction between the motor shaft and the motor shaft holder 78A is provided. For example, this mechanism uses bearings or uses low friction plastics. Further, the motor 61B is supported by a motor holder 78B with respect to the bottom of the cleaner. Preferably, the motor holder 78 is a plurality of elongated members extending radially from the motor 61B, and is fixed to the wall of the dust container 58 and a support member of the wall. Even when the motor 61B and the motor holder 78B are located in a dust container close to the cover 66, the cleaner can open the cover 66 and can discard dust. This is because a dust discharge promotion mechanism for dropping dust is provided.

(12) Manual Dust Discharge System FIG. 12A shows a manual dust discharge system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  While automatic robot cleaner systems are effective in reducing human labor, manual robot cleaner systems are also effective in providing a simple and robust solution.

  The dust collection system 12 is set on the floor 5, and the upper surface of the dust collection system 12 is higher than the floor 5. In this case, the user does not need to create or find a recessed place on the floor 5. When one cleaning session is over, the robot cleaner 50 is lifted by the user and set to the charge discharge position. The fences 42 provided at the three edges of the upper surface of the dust collection system 12 place the robot cleaner 50 at the charging / discharging position to prevent the robot cleaner 50 from falling from the upper surface even if the robot cleaner 50 moves. Contributes to preventing dust from falling from the top surface.

  In order not to expose the dust container 20, the dust collection system 12 has a pulling lid 37. The pulling lid 37 has a hinge mechanism on the bottom side, and a handle (pull knob) 37-1 on the top.

  The cover plate 16 and its sealing mechanism are the same as those of the cover 76-3 shown in FIG. Around the stored dust wall 18 on the top surface of the dust collection system 12 is a sealing element. This sealing element is like a weatherstrip used to seal between the glass panel and the mainframe in automotive retrofit sunroofs such as the Event 450 series released by Signature Automotive Products (Wixom, Michigan, USA) A hollow rubber material. The hollow rubber material can be pressed while maintaining a sealing property, and is durable against the horizontal movement of the cover plate 16.

  The user pulls the pull / push tab 18-5 of the cover plate 16 of the dust collection system 12 to open the cover of the dust collection system 12. Thereafter, the user pulls the lever 40 to raise the dust wall 18 to an intermediate position. At this intermediate position, the lever 40 is temporarily locked. The lever 40 and the dust 18 are mechanically associated with each other by a gear mechanism. Alternatively, the dust wall 18 may be raised electrically using a motor. Next, while the lever 40 is still in the intermediate position, the user touches the button of the robot cleaner 50 to electrically open the cover of the robot cleaner 50 and the dust wall receiving element 64 of the robot cleaner 50. To expose. While the user holds the robot cleaner 50, the user pulls the lever 40 to the discharge position to further raise the dust wall 18, thereby engaging the dust wall 18 with the dust wall receiving element 64.

  Thereafter, the robot cleaner 50 vibrates to blow dust using its blower 74 and / or to discharge dust from the dust container 56 in the cleaner. When finishing discharging the dust, the user pushes back the lever 40 and pushes the button of the robot cleaner 50 to cover the dust container 56 in the cleaner. Next, after having the robot cleaner 50 clean the top surface of the dust collection system 12, the user may end the robot cleaning, or lift the robot cleaner 50 and place it again on the floor 5 for further cleaning. May be.

  Although the dust collection system 12 may be operated non-electrically, some of its functions may be operated electrically.

(13) Dust collection system 12 for raising the robot cleaner
If the upper surface of the dust collection system 12 is higher than the floor 5, the robot cleaner 50 needs to be automatically raised to achieve the automatic discharge system. FIG. 13 shows a dust collection system having a lift mechanism.

  The dust collection system 12 hooks the robot cleaner 50 and uses a lift mechanism 48 to raise the robot cleaner 50 to the surface of the dust collection system 12. This hook is made to not operate on anything other than the robot cleaner 50 by a check mechanism using an authentication technique.

  First, the robot cleaner 50 approaches the lift mechanism 48 by propelling itself to the floor 5. Next, the hook protrudes at position 48-1 to hook the robot cleaner 50. Next, the hook moves up toward position 48-2. Then, about half of the size of the robot cleaner 50 protrudes from the upper surface of the dust collection system 12. Thereafter, the hook descends to the top surface.

(14) Dust collection system 12 having a dust sprayer / agitator / vibration mechanism
FIG. 14 shows a dust collection system of the present invention having a sprayer 19-1 for removing dust in the dust container 56 in the cleaner. This approach is a combination of the dust collection system 12 of the robot cleaner 50 and the dust sprayer 74. This approach is advantageous in that complex mechanisms in the robot cleaner 50 can be avoided. Furthermore, this approach is advantageous in that it can be sprayed from below the dust container 56 in the robot cleaner 50 in the spraying direction. This is because, particularly when the robot cleaner 50 is the multi-stage cyclone cleaner 51 shown in FIG. 6A, dust can be blown more favorably by blowing from below depending on the shape of the dust container 56.

FIG. 16 shows the dust collection system of the present invention having a stirrer for removing dust in the dust container 56 in the cleaner. Preferably, the stirrer has (ten) bundles of synthetic resin fibers having a length of 100 mm and a diameter of 0.3 mm. The stirrer moves and rotates like a whip, thereby removing dust adhering to the inner wall of the dust container 56 in the cleaner.

Figure 1 5 shows a dust collection system of the present invention having a retractable rotary spray machine for removing dust in the vacuum cleaner dust container 56. A telescopic rotary sprayer 19-2 is provided in the dust collection system 12. The telescopic rotary sprayer 19-2 is normally in a stored state (not shown). When blowing the gas from one or a plurality of holes of the blowing rotor 19-2a, the extendable rotary blowing machine 19-2 extends so that the length becomes longer. In order to extend the spray machine longer, the pressure of the spray gas can be used. The blowing rotor 19-2a can rotate around the axis of the blowing machine. When the gas is blown from the blowing rotor 19-2a, the blowing rotor 19-2a rotates due to the force generated by the blown gas. A rotary sprayer is desirable because it allows a large area wall in the dust container 56 to be blown.

  The dust collecting system 12 and the sprayer, the stirrer, the vibration mechanism, and the like in the robot cleaner 20 constitute a dust discharge promoting mechanism.

There is a dust collection system of the present invention provided with a rotary sprayer that removes dust in the dust container 56 in the multi-stage cyclone cleaner 51 of FIG. 6A. Due to the complicated wall in the dust container 56, it is difficult to completely discharge the dust in the multistage cyclone cleaner 51. Therefore, in the multistage cyclone cleaner, the telescopic rotary sprayer 19-2b and other dusts can be used. An emission promotion mechanism is particularly desirable.

(15) Points to Consider In the above embodiment of the present invention, several embodiments of the dust collection system 12, the robot cleaner 50, and their components are shown. Although not all combinations are described herein, all combinations of these elements constitute embodiments of the invention and are incorporated herein.

Claims (15)

A robot cleaner that can move autonomously to collect dust and discharge dust to a dust discharge station,
A dust container for storing dust;
A dust inlet for collecting dust in the dust container;
A dust outlet provided on the bottom surface of the robot cleaner, for discharging dust collected in the dust container, and a dust discharge promoting mechanism for promoting dust discharge;
The dust discharge promotion mechanism, said to assist the discharge of the dust dust outlet the dust discharge from said inner inside wall of the dust container by blowing gas in and upon the discharge of dust open to the dust discharge station Robot vacuum cleaner that is a spraying machine that promotes the discharge of dust to the station . A robot cleaner that can move autonomously to collect dust and discharge dust to a dust discharge station,
A dust container for storing dust;
A dust inlet for collecting dust in the dust container;
A dust outlet provided on the bottom surface of the robot cleaner, for discharging dust collected in the dust container, and a dust discharge promoting mechanism for promoting dust discharge;
The dust discharge promoting mechanism vibrates the robot cleaner when discharging dust having an open dust outlet so as to support the discharge of dust to the dust discharge station to discharge the dust to the dust discharge station. Robot cleaner, a vibration mechanism that promotes. A robot cleaner that can move autonomously to collect dust and discharge dust to a dust discharge station,
A dust container for storing dust;
A dust inlet for collecting dust in the dust container;
A dust outlet provided on the bottom surface of the robot cleaner, for discharging dust collected in the dust container, and a dust discharge promoting mechanism for promoting dust discharge;
The dust discharge facilitating mechanism agitates the inside of the dust container using a flexible whip when discharging dust with the dust outlet open so as to support the discharge of dust to the dust discharge station. A robot cleaner which is a stirrer that promotes the discharge of dust to the dust discharge station . A dust inlet and a fan for generating a negative pressure in the dust container in order to put dust into the dust container;
The robot cleaner according to claim 1 , wherein the blowing energy of the blowing machine is supplied by rotating the fan in a direction opposite to that when generating the negative pressure . A dust inlet for generating dust in the dust container and a fan for generating a negative pressure in the dust container; and
A gas path between the dust container and the outlet side of the airflow when generating the negative pressure;
The robot cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the spraying of the sprayer is performed by flowing a gas through the gas path with the fan . The robot cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the vibration mechanism vibrates the robot cleaner using a tire of the robot cleaner. The robot cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which autonomously moves to a dust discharge position in the dust discharge station. The dust outlet has an opening / closing mechanism, and the opening / closing mechanism has a cover plate for covering the opening of the dust container and a closing rod for pushing the cover plate and closing the cover plate. The robot cleaner according to any one of the above. The dust outlet has an opening / closing mechanism, and the opening / closing mechanism has a cover plate for covering the opening of the dust container and a rail guide for guiding the cover plate when the cover plate is opened and closed. The robot cleaner according to any one of the above. The dust outlet has an opening / closing mechanism, and the opening / closing mechanism has a cover plate for covering the opening of the dust container, and the cover plate is pulled and pushed to open and close the cover plate. The robot cleaner according to claim 1, having a member. A dust discharge station capable of collecting dust from a vacuum cleaner,
Providing a base for the vacuum cleaner, and a base for the vacuum cleaner for placing the vacuum cleaner in a dust discharge position;
A dust receiver provided on the vacuum cleaner base and configured to receive dust from the vacuum cleaner at the dust discharge position;
A container holder for releasing holding station in dust container is received disposable plastic bag dust stores are located beneath the dust receiving, and
A blowing machine that blows gas into the dust container of the vacuum cleaner to promote the storage of dust, a vibration mechanism that vibrates the vacuum cleaner to promote the storage of dust, and the inside of the dust container of the vacuum cleaner A dust discharge facilitating mechanism selected from the group consisting of a stirrer that stirs and promotes dust storage ; and
The dust discharge station receives dust collected by the vacuum cleaner from the vacuum cleaner due to at least gravity, and provides a dust path by the dust receiver, thereby providing dust into the dust container in the station. Dust discharge station that accommodates. A dust discharge station capable of collecting dust from a vacuum cleaner,
Providing a base for the vacuum cleaner, and a base for the vacuum cleaner for placing the vacuum cleaner in a dust discharge position;
A dust receiver provided on the vacuum cleaner base and configured to receive dust from the vacuum cleaner at the dust discharge position;
Received a container holder for removing holding station in the dust container is disposed below the dust receiving storing dust, and
A blowing machine that blows gas into the dust container of the vacuum cleaner to promote the storage of dust, a vibration mechanism that vibrates the vacuum cleaner to promote the storage of dust, and the inside of the dust container of the vacuum cleaner A dust discharge facilitating mechanism selected from the group consisting of a stirrer that stirs and promotes the storage of dust , and
The dust discharge station, due at least in gravity and atmospheric pressure is not performed Aspirate receives the dust collected by the cleaner from the cleaner, and provides a path of dust by the dust receiving A dust discharge station for storing dust in the dust container in the station. The dust receiver has an opening / closing mechanism, and the opening / closing mechanism has a cover plate for covering the opening of the dust receiver, and a rail guide for guiding the cover plate when the cover plate is opened and closed. Item 13. The dust discharge station according to Item 11 or 12. The dust receiver has an opening / closing mechanism, and the opening / closing mechanism has a cover plate for covering the opening of the dust receiver, and the cover plate is pulled / pressed to open and close the cover plate. 14. A dust discharge station according to any one of claims 11, 12 and 13, comprising a push tab. The robot cleaner according to any one of claims 1 to 10, and
A robot cleaner system comprising: a dust discharge station capable of collecting dust from the robot cleaner;

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