JP6426229B2 - Automatic vacuum cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic cleaner.

  Generally, a vacuum cleaner is a household electric appliance that sucks in and removes foreign substances on the floor surface. Recently, among such vacuum cleaners, particularly, a vacuum cleaner that cleans automatically is called an automatic vacuum cleaner. The automatic cleaner suctions and removes foreign matters on the floor while moving by the driving force of a motor operated by the rechargeable battery.

  Korean Patent Publication No. 2007-0105124, which is a prior art document, discloses an automatic vacuum cleaner provided with a side brush.

  However, the following problems occur in the conventional automatic cleaner as described above.

  In the case of a conventional automatic cleaner, foreign matter in a region corresponding to the outside of the suction port is sucked through the suction port by the rotation of the side brush. Thus, as the length of the side brush increases, the area to be cleaned by the automatic cleaner substantially increases. However, if the length of the side brush is increased, the side brush may be damaged during the cleaning process or storage. In addition, if the length of the side brush is increased, the area occupied by the automatic cleaner increases, and the storage of the automatic cleaner becomes inconvenient.

  An object of the present embodiment is to provide an automatic cleaner capable of effectively performing corner cleaning.

  Another object of the present embodiment is to provide an automatic cleaner capable of reducing damage to the side brush assembly.

  An automatic cleaner according to one aspect of the present invention includes a casing having a suction port, a suction device installed inside the casing and sucking external foreign matter through the suction port, and a moving device for moving the casing. A side brush assembly movably mounted on the casing, the side brush assembly being movably provided on the casing and rotatable on a movable member projecting from the casing and the movable member And an elastic member supporting the movable member such that the movable member protrudes to the outside of the casing.

  The movable member includes a second movable member operatively coupled to the casing, and a first movable member rotatably coupled to the second movable member by a hinge shaft, and the first movable member includes the first movable member. The side brush is installed.

  The first movable member is provided with a driving device for driving the side brush, and the driving device can rotate together with the first movable member.

  The driving device may include a brush driving unit and a power transmitting unit for transmitting power of the brush driving unit to the side brush.

  The elastic member can elastically support the hinge shaft or the first movable member.

  An elastic member may be further included to elastically support the second movable member.

  The second movable member may include a rotation restricting portion that restricts a rotation angle range of the first movable member.

  The casing may include a rotation limiting unit that limits a rotation angle range of the first movable member.

  An automatic cleaner according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a casing having a suction port, a suction device installed inside the casing and sucking external foreign matter through the suction port, and a moving device for moving the casing And a side brush assembly movably mounted on the casing, the side brush assembly being movably provided on the casing and protruding to the outside of the casing, and rotating on the movable member. And a hinge shaft for enabling the movable member to rotate relative to the casing.

  The casing is formed with an opening through which the movable member passes, and the opening is provided with a buffer member for reducing an impact with the movable member.

  The movable member is provided with a drive for driving the side brush, and the drive can rotate together with the movable member.

  The casing is formed with an axial guide portion which enables horizontal movement of the hinge shaft.

  The shaft guide portion is provided with one or more elastic members for elastically supporting the hinge shaft.

  An automatic cleaner according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a casing having a suction port, a suction device installed inside the casing, for sucking external foreign matter through the suction port, and movement for moving the casing A device and a side brush assembly operatively mounted to the casing, the side brush assembly being operatively mounted to the casing and having a movable member protruding from the casing and the movable member And at least a part of the movable member is formed of a flexible material that is deformed by an external force.

  The movable member may include a fixed member fixed to the casing, a support member supporting the side brush, and a flexible connecting member connecting the fixed member and the support member.

  The drive device may include a brush drive unit for driving the side brush, and the brush drive unit may be provided on any one of the support member, the fixing member, and the casing.

  The movable member may include a support member for supporting the side brush, and a flexible connecting member connected to the support member and connected to the casing.

  The drive device includes a brush drive unit for driving the side brush, and the brush drive unit is provided to any one of the support member or the casing.

  An automatic vacuum cleaner according to still another aspect of the present invention includes a casing having an inlet, a suction device installed inside the casing, for suctioning external foreign matters through the suction, and movement for moving the casing. A device and a side brush assembly operatively mounted to the casing, the side brush assembly being operatively mounted to the casing and having a movable member protruding from the casing and the movable member The movable member may include a rotatably mounted side brush and a driving device having a brush driving unit for rotating the side brush, and the movable member may include a plurality of links rotatable relative to each other.

  The side brush is rotatably mounted on the outermost link of the plurality of links, and the brush driving unit is disposed on the outermost link.

  The side brush is rotatably mounted on the outermost link of the plurality of links, and the driving device includes a power transmission unit for transmitting the power of the brush driving unit to the side brush. The brush driving unit is provided on the casing.

  According to the present invention, there is an advantage that corner cleaning can be performed efficiently because the side brush assembly protrudes from the casing.

  Also, since the side brush assembly can be moved by the external force, damage to the side brush assembly due to the external force can be minimized.

It is a bottom view of the automatic cleaner concerning a 1st example. It is a block diagram of the automatic cleaner which concerns on 1st Example. It is a sectional view showing the side brush assembly concerning a 1st example. It is a figure which shows the state which the side brush assembly which concerns on 1st Example moved by external force. It is a figure which shows the state which the side brush assembly which concerns on 1st Example moved by external force. It is sectional drawing which shows the side brush assembly which concerns on 2nd Example. It is sectional drawing which shows the side brush assembly which concerns on 3rd Example.

  Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. The same reference numeral is given to the same component in each drawing. Further, in the description of the embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configurations or functions disturbs the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  Further, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as the first, second, A, B, (a), (b) may be used. The term is used to distinguish the component from other components, and the term does not limit the nature, order, or order of the components. Where a component is described as "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, that component includes being directly connected or connected to the other component, but It also includes that other components are "connected", "coupled" or "connected" between each component.

  FIG. 1 is a bottom view of the automatic cleaner according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the automatic cleaner according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 shows a side brush assembly according to the first embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the automatic cleaner 10 according to the first embodiment includes a casing 110 that forms an appearance. The casing 110 may be formed in a flat polyhedron shape or a circular shape, but the shape of the casing 110 is not limited thereto.

  Inside the casing 110, various parts constituting the automatic cleaner 10 are installed. For example, inside the casing 110, a suction device 170 for sucking foreign matter, a dust collection device (not shown) for collecting the sucked foreign matter, and the like are provided.

  An inlet 111 is formed on the bottom of the casing 110. The suction port 111 serves as an inlet through which foreign matter is sucked into the inside of the casing 110, substantially the dust collection device, by the suction device 170. The suction port 111 can be formed by cutting a part of the bottom surface of the casing 110.

  A main brush 120 is installed at a position corresponding to the suction port 111 inside the casing 110. The main brush 120 penetrates the suction port 111 and contacts foreign matter on the floor to remove foreign matter. The main brush 120 is rotatably installed on the casing 110. The main driving unit 122 provides a driving force to rotate the main brush 120.

  In addition, the casing 110 is provided with a moving device 140 for moving the casing 110. The moving device 140 may include a driving motor (not shown) installed inside the casing 110 and a wheel 140 rotated by the driving motor. At this time, the moving device may include a pair of wheels 140 and a pair of drive motors. This allows each wheel 140 to rotate independently.

  Below the casing 110, one or more side brush assemblies 200 are installed. In this embodiment, as an example, a case where a plurality of side brush assemblies 200 are installed on the casing 110 will be described.

  The side brush assembly 200 is operatively mounted to the casing 110. The side brush assembly 200 may be positioned under the casing 110 or at least a portion of the inside of the casing 110, and the other portion may be positioned outside the casing 110.

  The side brush assembly 200 serves to allow the suction device 170 to suction foreign matter located in a region corresponding to the outside of the suction port 111 through the suction port 111.

  The side brush assembly 200 may include movable members 210 and 220 to which the casing 110 is operatively connected, and side brushes 230 rotatably connected to the movable members 210 and 220 by a rotation shaft 232.

  A portion of the movable members 210 and 220 may be positioned inside the casing 110, and another portion may protrude outside the casing 110.

  Therefore, since a part of the movable members 210 and 220 protrudes outside the casing 110, there is an advantage that the cleanable area of the side brush 230 is expanded.

  The side brush 230 may include a brush holder 233 and a plurality of bristles 234 provided on the brush holder 233.

  The movable members 210 and 220 include a second movable member 220 slidably disposed in the casing 110, and a first movable member 210 rotatably disposed on the second movable member 220 by a hinge shaft 212. be able to.

  An opening 113 is formed on the side or bottom of the casing 110 for the movable members 210 and 220 to protrude. A portion of the second movable member 220 may protrude to the outside of the casing 110 through the opening 113.

  The casing 110 is provided with an elastic member 130 that elastically supports the second movable member 220. One end of the elastic member 130 is fixed to an elastic member supporter 116 provided in the casing 110, and the other end is fixed to the second movable member 220.

  The elastic member 130 provides the second movable member 220 with an elastic force for causing the second movable member 220 to protrude to the outside of the casing 110 through the opening 113.

  The second movable member 220 is provided with a stopper 222 for restricting the protruding length of the second movable member 220 to the outside of the casing 110. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the second movable member 220, a part of the second movable member 220 projected to the outside of the casing 110 by the elastic member 130 is drawn into the inside of the casing 110, and the elasticity The member 130 contracts.

  A part of the first movable member 210 is accommodated in the second movable member 220, and a part of the first movable member 210 accommodated in the second movable member 220 is the second movable by the hinge shaft 212. It is rotatably connected to the member 220. An elastic member 214 is provided between the first movable member 210 and the second movable member 220. One end of the elastic member 214 is supported by the second movable member 220, and the other end is supported by the first movable member 210. If the hinge shaft 212 is configured to rotate with the first movable member 210, the other end of the elastic member 214 may be connected to the hinge shaft 212. The elastic member 214 may be, for example, a torsion spring, but is not limited thereto, and may be a coil spring or a leaf spring.

  In the state where the first movable member 210 is connected to the second movable member 220, the first movable member 210 can be moved by the elastic member 214 unless the external force is applied to the first movable member 210. It is kept separated from the side walls of the member 220. That is, the elastic member 214 acts so that the first movable member 110 and the second movable member 220 are maintained as shown in FIG. 3 as long as no external force is applied to the first movable member 210.

  As another example, the second movable member 220 may not be provided with both side walls. In this case, in the process of rotating the first movable member 210, the first movable member comes in contact with the wall forming the opening 113 of the casing 110, and the rotation of the first movable member 210 is restricted. In this case, the wall forming the opening 113 serves as a rotation restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the first movable member.

  When the external force acts on the first movable member 210, the first movable member 210 can rotate on the basis of the hinge shaft 214, and when the external force applied to the first movable member 210 is removed. The elastic member 214 causes the first movable member 210 to return to its original position.

  In the first movable member 210, a driving device for driving the side brush 230 is provided. The driving device may include a brush driving unit 241 and a power transmission unit for transmitting the power of the brush driving unit 241 to the side brush 230.

The brush driving unit 241 may be a motor. The power transmission unit includes a first pulley 242 connected to the brush driving unit 241, a second pulley 243 connected to the brush holder 233 of the side brush 230, and the first pulley 242 and the second pulley 243. Can be included.

  According to the present embodiment, when the first movable member 210 moves due to the position of the drive within the first movable member 210, the drive may move together. The operating state is maintained, and power is stably provided to the side brush 230.

  Although in the above embodiments the drive has been described as including a pair of pulleys and belts, it is also possible to include multiple gears. Alternatively, it is possible to include multiple pulleys and multiple belts.

  Meanwhile, the automatic cleaner 10 may further include a control unit 150 for performing overall control of the automatic cleaner 10 and an obstacle sensor 160 for detecting an obstacle. The controller 150 may control the moving device or the drivers 122 and 240 based on the information detected by the obstacle sensor 160.

  The operation of the side brush assembly according to the present embodiment will be described below.

  FIG.4 and FIG.5 is drawing which shows the state which the side brush assembly which concerns on 1st Example moved by external force.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the power of the automatic cleaner is turned on in order to clean the surface to be cleaned (for example, the floor) using the automatic cleaner. When the automatic cleaner is turned on, it is moved by the moving device automatically or by input of a start command, and cleaning is performed by the main brush 120.

  At the same time as the automatic vacuum cleaner is turned on, the brush driving unit 241 is turned on, and the side brush rotates. Alternatively, the brush driving unit 241 may be turned on when the automatic cleaner senses a corner.

  During the traveling of the automatic cleaner, the side brush assembly is kept protruding outward of the casing as shown in FIG. In such a state, the floor surface is cleaned by the rotation of the side brush 230.

  Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, when an external force such as an arrow is applied to the side brush assembly in the automatic cleaner, the external force is transmitted to the second movable member 220 through the first movable member 210. . That is, when an external force acts on the side brush assembly 200 in a direction toward the hinge shaft 214, the external force does not act as a rotational force of the first movable member 210 but acts as a motive force of the second movable member 220. Do. Then, a part of the second movable member 220 is drawn into the inside of the casing 210, the length of the protrusion of the second movable member 220 to the outside of the casing 110 is reduced, and the elastic member 130 is contracted. . After all, the contraction of the elastic member 130 absorbs the impact of the side brush assembly. Accordingly, in the present embodiment, the second movable member 220 and the elastic member 130 serve as a buffer member.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the external force does not act in the direction toward the hinge shaft 214, the external force acts as a rotational force of the first movable member.

  As described above, since the first movable member 210 is separated from both side walls of the second movable member 220, the first movable member 210 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow within a certain angular range. It can rotate around. Then, when the first movable member 210 comes into contact with any one of the side walls in the process of rotating the first movable member 210, the rotation is stopped. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it can be said that both side walls of the second movable member 220 are rotation limiting portions that limit the rotation angle range of the first movable member 210.

  At this time, since the brush driving unit 241 rotates together with the first movable member 210 when the first movable member 210 rotates, the brush driving unit 241 has nothing to do with the rotation of the first movable member 210. Power can be transmitted to the side brush 230.

  According to this embodiment, since the first movable member 210 is rotated by an external force, not only the first movable member 210 acts as a buffer but also the side brush in a state in which the first movable member 210 is rotated. Since the rotation of 230 is maintained, there is an advantage that the cleanable area is expanded.

  As another example, the first movable member and the second movable member can be integrally formed. In this case, the hinge shaft 212 and the elastic member 242 can be omitted. Also in this case, as long as the movable members 210 and 220 can be elastically supported by the elastic member 130 and can slide, and the size of the opening 113 is larger than that of the movable members 210 and 220, the openings Rotation of the movable members 210, 220 is also possible within the range of 113.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a side brush assembly according to a second embodiment.

  FIG. 6 differs in the structure for shock absorbing between the movable member and the movable member, and the other parts are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the side brush assembly may include a movable member 250 rotatably coupled to the casing 110.

  The movable member 250 is rotatably connected to the casing 110 by a hinge shaft 252. Drive devices 241, 242, 243, 244 for driving the side brush 230 are provided in the movable member 250.

  The casing 110 is formed with an opening 113 through which the movable member 250 passes. The movable member 250 can rotate about the hinge shaft 252 by an external force. During the rotation of the movable member 250, the movable member 250 may collide with the surface forming the opening 113. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the opening 113 is provided with the buffer member 114 for absorbing an impact at the time of collision with the movable member 250. The buffer member 114 may be substantially formed in a ring shape, and may include a hole 115 through which the movable member 250 passes.

  The hinge shaft 252 is fixedly or slidably connected to the casing 110 so as to allow only rotation.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the hinge shaft 252 slidably coupled to the casing 110 as an example.

The casing 110 is formed with a shaft guide portion 117 to which the hinge shaft 252 can move, and a part of the hinge shaft 252 is inserted into the shaft guide portion 117 . The shaft guide portion 117 is provided with one or more elastic members 118 and 119 that elastically support the hinge shaft 252. As an example, the shaft guide portion 117 is provided with a pair of elastic members 118 and 119 supporting the hinge shaft 252 on both sides of the hinge shaft 252. That is, the hinge shaft 252 is positioned between the pair of elastic members 118 and 119.

  Therefore, the movable member 250 rotates around the hinge shaft 252 or along with the horizontal movement of the hinge shaft 252 in a state in which the movement of the hinge shaft 252 is stopped depending on the direction or magnitude of the external force acting. Can be rotated about the hinge shaft 252.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a side brush assembly according to a third embodiment.

  FIG. 7 differs in the structure for shock absorbing between the movable member and the movable member, and the other parts are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following, characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the side brush assembly may include a movable member 260 protruding from the outside of the casing 110 and rotatably supporting the side brush 230.

  The movable member 260 of this embodiment can be configured so that a part moves instead of moving the whole. Specifically, the movable member 260 is connected to a rigid body fixing member 261 fixed to the casing 110, a flexible connecting member 263 connected to the fixing member 261, and the connecting member 263. And a rigid support member 262. The side brush 230 is supported by the support member 262.

  The brush driving unit 241 is installed on the casing 110. A first pulley 242 is connected to the brush driving unit 241, a second pulley 243 is installed on the support member 262, and the belt 244 can pass through the connection member 263.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a part of the movable member 261 can be moved by the connecting member 263.

  In the present embodiment, the connecting member 263 can be formed to be deformed when a force of a predetermined magnitude or more acts, and the rigidity is such that no distortion occurs due to the weight of the side brush 230. It will be necessary.

  As another example, the brush driving unit 241 may be installed on the fixing member 261. Alternatively, the brush driving unit 241 may be installed on the support member 262. In this case, the brush driving unit 241 is directly connected to the side brush 230.

  As another example, the fixing member may be omitted and the connecting member may be connected to the casing.

  Alternatively, the movable member may include a plurality of tunnel-shaped links rotatable about a vertical axis, and the side brush may be installed on the outermost link of the plurality of links. However, in this case, a belt is provided internally for each link so that the power can be smoothly transmitted during relative rotation between the multiple links, and the power of the brush drive is transmitted to the multiple belts in stages. It is also possible to Alternatively, the brush drive member may be provided on the outermost link.

  As mentioned above, although it demonstrated that all the component which comprises the Example of this invention couple | bonds or couple | bonds with one and it operate | moves, this invention is not limited to such an Example. That is, within the scope of the object of the present invention, all the constituent elements can be selectively coupled to operate one or more. In addition, the terms “including”, “constituting” or “having”, etc. described above mean that the constituent can be included unless there is a particular limitation, and excluding the other constituent However, it should be construed that it may further include other components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical or scientific terms have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Commonly used terms, such as those defined in the dictionary, should be construed as consistent with the contextual meaning of the relevant art and, unless expressly defined in the present invention, as ideal or excessive form It is not interpreted as a meaning.

  The above description merely illustrates the technical concept of the present invention by way of example, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Various modifications and variations are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not for limiting but limiting the technical idea of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is limited by such embodiments. It is not a thing. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed in accordance with the appended claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. .

Claims (6)

A casing having an inlet;
A suction device installed inside the casing for sucking external foreign matter through the suction port;
A moving device for moving the casing;
A side brush assembly operatively mounted to the casing;
Including
The side brush assembly is movably provided on the casing, and a movable member protruding from the casing , a side brush rotatably mounted on the movable member, and the movably disposed inside the casing. And a hinge shaft that allows the member to rotate relative to the casing,
An automatic vacuum cleaner, wherein the casing is formed with an axis guide portion which enables horizontal movement of the hinge axis. The casing is formed with an opening through which the movable member passes.
The automatic vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein a buffer member is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the opening to reduce an impact with the movable member. The movable member is provided with a drive device for driving the side brush,
The automatic cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the drive device rotates with the movable member.   The automatic cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the shaft guide portion is provided with one or more elastic members for elastically supporting the hinge shaft. The automatic vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the one or more elastic members are paired and support the hinge shaft on both sides of the hinge shaft. The automatic vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the axis guide portion is elongated in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the movable member.