JP6463305B2 - Self-propelled cleaner and self-propelled cleaner - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-propelled cleaner and a self-propelled cleaner having a function of removing dust sucked inside.

  The prior art of a self-propelled cleaner and a self-propelled cleaner is described in Patent Document 1, for example. In this prior art, a charging device fan, a charging device dust collecting case, and a charging device controller are provided in the box portion, and when the self-propelled cleaner returns to a return unit such as a charging table, There has been proposed a technique for sucking and removing dust collected inside from a self-propelled cleaner by a suction unit provided.

  Another similar prior art is described in Patent Document 2, for example. In this prior art, a second air blower that provides power necessary for suction of dust collected in the first dust collector, and a second dust collector provided inside the station main body so as to store the sucked dust, Is provided.

JP 2007-181656 A JP 2008-155041 A

  In the prior art described in Patent Document 1, since a charging device fan, a charging device dust collection case, and a charging device controller are provided in the box portion, dust stored in the self-propelled cleaner is removed from the feedback unit side. In addition to the suction part of the self-propelled cleaner, a separate suction part is required for the return unit, and since the suction part is not used for transferring dust, it is not cost effective. is there.

  Moreover, in the prior art described in this patent document 1, when sucking the dust inside the self-propelled cleaner from the return unit side, there is no air drawing-in route, and a large suction force is required for suction. There is a problem that the configuration of the part is increased in size.

  Moreover, in the prior art described in Patent Document 2, a second blower that provides power necessary for sucking dust collected in the first dust collector, and a station main body so as to store the sucked dust. Since the second dust collecting device is provided, in order to move the dust from the self-propelled cleaner body to the return unit, the components of the second air blower are essential. This part is composed of a combination of a fan and a motor, and is a relatively expensive part in a vacuum cleaner. Therefore, in order to incorporate this function of the prior art into the self-propelled cleaner, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases and the cost increases.

In the prior art described in Patent Document 2, when sucking dust inside the self-propelled cleaner from the return unit side, air outside the self-propelled cleaner is removed from the opening of the brush portion of the self-propelled cleaner. Since it is configured to be pulled in, in this prior art as well as the prior art described in Patent Document 1 described above, a large suction force is required to suck dust, and the configuration of the suction portion is increased in size. Have the problem of In addition, since the self-propelled cleaner is directly related to the continuous drive time and the ability to clean in a small place, the ability to store the sucked dust inside the self-propelled cleaner is more than that of a general cleaner. It is inferior.

  Therefore, when the self-propelled vacuum cleaner returns to the return unit, the dust accumulated in the main body is moved to the return unit along with charging, thereby increasing the continuous cleaning time by improving the dust storage capacity. Has been developed.

  However, in a self-propelled cleaner, a dedicated suction part is required to transfer dust stored inside the self-propelled cleaner to the return unit side, and the suction part is used for other than dust transfer. The problem is that it is not cost effective.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce the manufacturing cost, reduce the size, and improve the cost-effective self-propelled vacuum cleaner capable of increasing the continuous cleaning time and the self-propelled vacuum cleaner equipped with the same. It is to provide a running cleaning device.

The present invention includes a travel drive unit having drive wheels;
A vacuum cleaner body on which the traveling drive unit is mounted and a suction port is provided in the traveling direction forward by the driving wheel;
A suction part provided in the vacuum cleaner main body and generating a suction force, the suction part having a first ventilation port capable of sucking outside air by the generated suction force;
A storage chamber provided in the vacuum cleaner main body and storing dust sucked by the suction force of the suction portion, and connected to the second vent opening and the first vent opening that can be opened to the outside through a space. A reservoir having a reservoir in which a possible third vent is formed;
A reservoir filter provided in the reservoir so as to block the third vent, and preventing dust from being discharged from the reservoir through the third vent to the outside;
Between the suction part and the storage part, a flow path forming part provided to be displaceable at a predetermined connection position or open position,
In the state where the flow path forming portion is disposed at the connection position, the flow path forming portion connects the first ventilation port and the third ventilation port, and flows between the first ventilation port and the third ventilation port. A flow path forming part that forms a path and opens the first vent and the third vent facing the space between the suction part and the storage part in a state of being disposed at the open position. And a self-propelled cleaner characterized by including.

The present invention also includes a traveling vacuum cleaner as described above,
A return station unit comprising a return stand portion on which the self-propelled cleaner can be mounted, and a wall body portion standing on the return stand portion,
When the self-propelled cleaner is mounted on the return base portion, the wall body portion is provided so as to be displaced in a direction close to or away from the return base portion. A return station unit provided with a dust collection unit that is displaced in a direction close to a base unit and collects dust in the storage chamber by a suction force of the suction unit of the self-propelled cleaner. It is a self-propelled cleaning device.

In the present invention, the dust collecting unit may
An accommodating portion having an accommodating chamber for accommodating dust collected from the self-propelled cleaner;
By projecting from the housing part toward the return table part and displacing the dust collection part in a direction close to the return table part, the return table part is displaced from the connection position to the open position, and the first A first duct communicating the one vent hole with the accommodation chamber;
A second duct that protrudes from the housing portion toward the return table portion and displaces the dust collecting portion in a direction close to the return table portion, thereby communicating the second vent and the storage chamber;
It is preferable that the first duct filter is provided in the housing portion so as to block the first duct and prevents passage of dust from the housing chamber into the first duct.

  According to the present invention, in the state where the dust collection part protrudes from the accommodation part toward the return base part and the flow path forming part is displaced to the open position, the accommodation chamber, the second vent hole, It is preferable that a third duct to be communicated is further included.

  Further, the present invention provides the third duct filter, wherein the dust collection part is provided in the housing part so as to block the third duct, and prevents passage of dust from the housing chamber into the third duct. Furthermore, it is preferable to include.

  According to the present invention, the self-propelled cleaner is provided with the first and second vent holes, the suction force of the first vent hole is guided to the second vent hole, and the dust in the storage chamber is removed by the self-propelled cleaner. Can be recovered from. Therefore, unlike the prior art, there is no need for a separate collecting part for collecting dust collected by the self-propelled cleaner from the self-propelled cleaner, and thus the self-propelled cleaner Alternatively, when realizing a self-propelled cleaning device including the same, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and reduce the size.

  Moreover, when removing the dust collected by the self-propelled cleaner from the self-propelled cleaner, the filter for the first duct of the self-propelled cleaner can be simultaneously cleaned. Can be increased. Further, since the suction force of the first vent is guided from the second vent into the storage chamber through the flow path forming portion, it is not necessary to provide a strong and expensive suction portion inside the return station unit, and the manufacturing cost is reduced. Can be achieved. Also, when collecting dust collected from the storage chamber of the return station unit, a closed air flow path is formed inside the self-propelled cleaning device, so the suction part needs unnecessarily large power However, a self-propelled cleaning device can be realized at low cost.

It is sectional drawing which looked at the self-propelled cleaner 1 of Embodiment 1 of this invention from the side. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a flow path forming unit 13 and a suction unit 6. FIG. It is a perspective view of self-propelled cleaning device 100 provided with self-propelled cleaner 1 showing Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 3 is a cross-sectional perspective view in which the front side of the self-propelled cleaning device 100 is omitted. FIG. It is a figure showing typically the state where the 1st and 2nd ducts 27 and 28 were connected to self-propelled cleaner 1 which returned. It is a figure which shows airflow F1-F4 in the state connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1 which the 1st and 2nd ducts 27 and 28 returned. It is a perspective view of self-propelled cleaning device 100a provided with self-propelled cleaner 1 showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention. It is the cross-sectional perspective view which abbreviate | omitted the near side of the self-propelled cleaning apparatus 100a. It is a figure showing typically the state where the 1st-3rd ducts 27, 28, and 33 were connected to self-propelled cleaner 1 which returned. It is a figure which shows the airflow F11-F15 in the state connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1 which the 1st-3rd ducts 27,28,33 returned.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the self-propelled cleaning device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the self-propelled cleaner 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the flow path forming unit 13 and the suction unit 6. A self-propelled cleaner 1 according to this embodiment includes a travel drive unit 3 having a drive wheel 2 for self-propulsion, and a vacuum cleaner body 5 in which a suction port 4 is provided in front of a travel direction A by the drive wheel 2. A suction part 6 provided in the cleaner body 5 and generating a suction force, the suction part 6 having a first vent 7 capable of sucking outside air by the generated suction force, and the cleaner body 5 Is a storage chamber 8 in which dust sucked by the suction force of the suction portion 6 is stored, and is open to the second vent hole 9 and the first vent hole 7 that can be opened to the outside via a space 15. A storage portion 11 having a storage chamber 8 in which a connectable third vent 10 is formed, and the storage portion 11 is provided so as to close the third vent 10, and the third vent is provided from the storage chamber 8. Reservoir filter for preventing dust from being discharged to the outside through 10 2, a flow path forming part 13 provided between the suction part 6 and the storage part 11, wherein the first ventilation hole 7 and the third ventilation hole 10 are connected to each other to connect the first ventilation hole. A connection position for forming a flow path between the mouth 7 and the third vent 10, and the first vent 7 and the third vent 10 between the suction portion 6 and the storage portion 11. And a flow path forming portion 13 that is displaceably provided at an open position facing the space 15.

  The vacuum cleaner body 5 is housed in the suction port 4 and is provided to be rotatable around an axis parallel to the drive wheel 2. The cleaner body 5 includes a rotating brush 14 that collects dust in a self-propelled path. It is configured such that dust trapped in the suction port 4 by dust collection can be sucked into the storage chamber 8 of the storage unit 11 and stored. The second vent 9 has a suction force introduced into the storage chamber 8 from the suction portion 6 through the first vent 7, the flow path forming portion 13 and the third vent 10. In order to prevent leakage through 8, a valve body (not shown) having flexibility, such as a synthetic resin sheet, is provided as a check valve. By this valve body, the inside of the storage chamber 8 is prevented from being opened by the second vent 9, and the suction force guided to the storage chamber 8 is guided to the suction port 4 so that a larger suction force can be obtained. It is configured.

  The suction unit 6 includes the rotary brush 14 described above and a rotational drive source such as a motor and a speed reducer (not shown). The flow path forming unit 13 communicates with the first ventilation port 7 of the suction unit 6 through the opening 16 on the suction unit 6 side, and the third ventilation port 10 of the storage unit 11 through the opening 17 on the storage unit 11 side. It is configured to communicate.

  In addition, a second ventilation hole 9 is provided on the upper part of the storage part 11, and dust stored in the storage part 11 can be taken out via the second ventilation hole 9.

  The self-propelled cleaner 1 according to the first embodiment can remove dust to the outside of the cleaner body 5 by connecting a dust suction device or the like from the outside to the second vent 9. Moreover, since the second vent 9 is provided in the self-propelled cleaner 1, a suction force is guided from the second vent 9 into the storage chamber 8 by an existing suction device, and the collected dust is discharged. Can do.

  Next, a self-propelled cleaning device 100 using the self-propelled cleaner 1 described in the first embodiment will be described as a second embodiment with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the self-propelled cleaning device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view in which the front side of the self-propelled cleaning device 100 is omitted. 3 and 4 show a state where the self-propelled cleaner 1 of the first embodiment returns to the return station unit 23. FIG. Note that portions corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The configuration of the return station unit 23 will be described below.

  The self-propelled cleaning device 100 according to the second embodiment includes the self-propelled cleaner 1 described above, a return stand 21 on which the self-propelled cleaner 1 can be mounted, and a wall body standing on the return stand 21. And a return station unit 23 having a section 22.

  The return station unit 23 is configured such that the wall body portion 22 can be displaced in the direction B1 close to the return stand portion 21 or in the direction B2 away from the return stand portion 21. When the machine 1 is mounted, the dust collecting unit is displaced in the direction B1 close to the return table 21 and collects the dust in the storage chamber 8 by the suction force of the suction unit 6 of the self-propelled cleaner 1. 24 is provided.

  The dust collection unit 24 protrudes from the storage unit 26 toward the return table 21 with a storage unit 26 having a storage chamber 25 for storing the dust recovered from the self-propelled cleaner 1, and the dust recovery unit 24 By displacing in the direction B <b> 1 close to the return table 21, the return table 21 is displaced from the connection position to the open position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the first vent 7 and the accommodation chamber 25 are communicated. The second duct 9 and the accommodating chamber 25 are protruded from the first duct 27 and the accommodating portion 26 toward the return platform 21 and the dust collecting portion 24 is displaced in the direction B1 close to the return platform 21. And a first duct filter 29 provided in the housing portion 26 so as to block the first duct 27 and preventing passage of dust from the housing chamber 25 into the first duct 27. Including.

  A charging unit 31 is disposed on the wall portion 22 of the return station unit 23 and is connected to the charging electrode 32 at the rear of the self-propelled cleaner 1, so that the charging unit 31 built in the self-propelled cleaner 1 can be used. The battery is charged so that electric power can be supplied to the motor and the like.

  The dust collecting part 24 is arranged in parallel with the return table part 21, and its base end moves in the vertical direction along the wall body part 22, that is, in the direction B 1 close to the return table part 21 and in the direction B 2 away from it. It is configured to be possible. The first and second ducts 27 and 28 described above are provided below the dust collection unit 24 so as to be connectable to the returned self-propelled cleaner 1.

  The upper ends of the first duct 27 and the second duct 28 are provided in the aforementioned accommodating portion 26 and communicate with the accommodating chamber 25. A first duct filter 29 is disposed at a connecting portion between the storage chamber 25 and the first duct 27 so as to close the opening of the first duct 27 facing the storage chamber 25 from the storage chamber 25 side. .

  Next, the dust removal operation by the self-propelled cleaning device 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the first and second ducts 27 and 28 are connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1 that has returned. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a suction path in the connected state shown in FIG. When the return station unit 23 detects that the self-propelled cleaner 1 has returned by a sensor (not shown), the dust collection unit 24 is close to the return platform 21 along the wall 22, that is, in the downward direction B 1. The flow path forming part 13 is pushed downward by the first duct 27, the first vent 7 of the suction part 6 and the third vent 10 of the storage part 11 are opened facing the space 15, and the first duct 27 is opened. The connection state between the vent 7 and the third vent 10 is released.

  As the first duct 27 and the second duct 28 are lowered in this way, the first vent 7 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 communicates with the accommodation chamber 25 via the first duct 27 and is accommodated. The chamber 25 communicates with the first duct 27 of the dust collecting unit 24 via the second duct 28, and the second vent 9 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 and the storage chamber 25 of the dust collecting unit 24 communicate with each other.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the air flow and the dust flow when collecting dust in the state where the self-propelled cleaner 1 returns to the return station unit 23 will be described. In the self-propelled cleaner 1, for example, a limit switch provided on the wall portion 22 indicates that the first vent 7 and the first duct 27 communicate with each other and the second vent 9 and the second duct 28 communicate with each other. When detected by a sensor (not shown), the suction unit 6 is activated to start suction.

  When the suction unit 6 starts the suction operation, an air flow is generated mainly as indicated by arrows F1 to F4. The arrow F <b> 1 is an air flow in which the suction force of the suction unit 6 is guided from the first vent 7 to the storage chamber 25 via the first duct 27, and is thereby drawn into the suction unit 6 from the storage chamber 25. The arrow F <b> 2 is an air flow drawn into the storage chamber 25 from the storage portion 11 via the second duct 28 by the suction force guided to the storage chamber 25. The arrow F <b> 3 is an airflow drawn into the storage chamber 8 from the outside air around the rotating brush 14. The arrow F4 is an air flow exhausted from the suction unit 6 to the outside.

  The flow of dust is as follows. Due to the flow of the air flow indicated by the arrow F2, dust in the storage unit 8 moves to the storage chamber 25 and is collected. For the flow of the arrow F1, since the first duct filter 29 is disposed at the connecting portion between the storage chamber 25 and the first duct 27, the dust collected in the storage chamber 25 is used for the first duct. It is filtered by the filter 29 and remains in the storage chamber 25, and does not reach the first duct 27 or the suction unit 6, and only dust can be collected.

  With such a configuration, the dust collected by the self-propelled cleaner 1 in the storage chamber 8 by the self-propelled cleaner 1 is automatically collected at the time of return using the suction mechanism of the self-propelled cleaner 1 itself. Therefore, the return station unit 23 does not need to be additionally provided with a dust collecting suction part, and the number of parts of the entire system can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. Further, by using the first duct filter 29, it is possible to prevent dust from returning to the suction unit 6 side of the self-propelled cleaner 1.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a self-propelled cleaning device 100a including the self-propelled cleaner 1 showing Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view in which the front side of the self-propelled cleaning device 100a is omitted. It is. 7 and 8 show a state where the self-propelled cleaner 1 of the first embodiment returns to the return station unit 23. FIG. Note that portions corresponding to those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of overlapping portions is omitted. First, the configuration of the return station unit 23 will be described below.

The self-propelled cleaning device 100a of the present embodiment is provided with a third duct 33 in addition to the first and second ducts 27 and 28, and an opening of a connecting portion of the third duct 33 is provided in the housing portion 26. A third duct filter 34 is provided so as to be closed. By such a third duct filter 34, the passage of dust from the storage chamber 25 into the third duct 33 is prevented, and the dust is discharged from the storage chamber 25 to the outside through the third duct 33. Can be prevented.

  A dust collection unit 24 is disposed on the return station unit 23. The dust collection unit 24 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, that is, in the directions of the arrows B1 and B2 along the wall body unit 22 as in the second embodiment. The three first to third ducts 27, 28, and 33 are provided in parallel on the lower surface 24 a of the dust collecting unit 24 so as to communicate with the self-propelled cleaner 1.

The return station unit 23 has a return base 21 and a wall 22. The wall unit 22 is provided with a charging unit 31, which is electrically connected to the charging electrode 32 at the rear of the self-propelled cleaner 1 to return the storage battery mounted on the self-propelled cleaner 1. It is configured to charge.

  A storage chamber 25 is provided in the upper part of the return station unit 23 in the same manner as described above, and a first duct 27, a second duct 28, and a third duct 33 project downward from the lower part of the storage chamber 25. That is, in addition to the first duct 27 communicated with the first vent 7 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 and the second duct 28 communicated with the second vent 9 of the self-propelled cleaner 1, The third duct 33 further communicates with the three vent holes 10. A third duct filter 34 is disposed at the connecting portion between the storage chamber 25 and the first duct 27.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the removal (discharge) of dust by the self-propelled cleaning device 100a of the third embodiment will be specifically described.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a state in which the first to third ducts 27, 28, 33 are connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1 that has returned, and FIG. 10 illustrates the first to third ducts 27, 28. , 33 is a diagram showing airflows F11 to F15 in a state connected to the self-propelled cleaner 1 that has returned.

  The return station unit 23, after confirming the return of the self-propelled cleaner 1, moves the dust collecting part 24 downward along the wall part 22, whereby the flow path forming part 9 is pushed downward, The first vent 7 of the suction part 6 and the third vent 10 of the storage part 11 are opened.

  When the third duct 33, the first duct 27, and the second duct 28 are lowered, the third vent 10 provided in the storage unit 11 of the self-propelled cleaner 1 and the third duct 33 of the dust collection unit 24 communicate with each other. The first vent 7 and the first duct 27 communicate with each other, and the second vent 9 and the second duct 28 communicate with each other.

  With reference to FIG. 9, the air flow and the dust flow when the dust is removed (discharged) in the return state in the return station unit 23 will be described. The self-propelled cleaner 1 detects that the third vent 10 and the third duct 33 communicate with each other, the first vent 7 and the first duct 27, and the second vent 9 and the second duct 28 communicate with each other. Then, the own suction part 6 is operated and suction is started.

  When the suction is started, an air flow of arrows F11 to F15 is mainly generated. An arrow F <b> 11 is an air flow that the suction unit 6 draws from the storage chamber 25 to the suction unit 6 side via the first duct 27. The arrow F <b> 12 is an airflow drawn into the storage chamber 25 from the storage unit 11 via the second duct 28. The arrow F <b> 13 is an airflow drawn into the storage unit 11 from the outside air around the brush 1. The arrow F14 is an air flow exhausted from the suction unit 6 to the outside.

  The difference from the second embodiment is that an air flow of an arrow F15 flowing from the third vent 10 through the third duct 33 to the storage unit 11 is generated. The air flow indicated by the arrow F15 is generated on the storage unit 11 side from the storage chamber 25, so that the movement of air flow and dust from the storage unit 11 to the storage chamber 25 can be promoted, and the self-propelled cleaner 1 When the first duct filter 29 is used as a normal vacuum cleaner, an air flow in the opposite direction is generated, so that the first duct filter 29 can be cleaned, and the filter clogging is improved. Can do.

  The present invention provides an apparatus that efficiently accumulates dust stored in a vacuum cleaner in a feedback unit having a charging function, and can be used for general vacuum cleaners having a charging function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Self-propelled cleaner 2 Drive wheel 3 Travel drive part 4 Suction port 5 Vacuum cleaner main body 6 Suction part 7 1st vent 8 Reservoir 9 9 2nd vent 10 3rd vent 11 Reservoir 12 Reservoir part filter 13 Flow path forming part 14 Rotating brush 15 Space 16, 17 Opening 27 First duct 28 Second duct 33 Third duct

Claims (4)

A travel drive having drive wheels;
A suction port for sucking dust caught in the rotating brush;
A suction part that generates a suction force;
A storage chamber for storing dust,
During operation of the suction part, when dust is introduced from the suction port and stored in the storage chamber, the stored dust is discharged outside the storage chamber using only the airflow drawn from the suction port by the suction force of the suction unit. And a self-propelled vacuum cleaner characterized by comprising: A travel drive having drive wheels;
A suction port for sucking dust caught in the rotating brush;
A suction part that generates a suction force;
A self-propelled vacuum cleaner including a storage chamber in which dust is stored;
A return station including a dust collection unit for collecting dust from a storage chamber of the self-propelled cleaner, and
The storage chamber has a plurality of vents;
When the self-propelled cleaner performs cleaning, the suction unit is operated to allow dust to flow into the storage chamber from the suction port through the first vent, and the self-propelled cleaner is returned to the return station. When returning to the factory, the suction unit is operated to use only the airflow drawn from the suction port, and the stored dust is transferred from the second ventilation port different from the first ventilation port to the dust collection unit. The self-propelled cleaning device is moved by the suction force of the suction part. When the self-propelled cleaner to said feedback station to feedback to claim 2, characterized in that opening the vent was closed when performing cleaning of the plurality of vents provided in the storage chamber The self-propelled cleaning device as described. The return station includes a charging unit that supplies power to the self-propelled cleaner,
4. The self-propelled cleaner according to claim 2, wherein power is supplied to the self-propelled cleaner at least while the self-propelled cleaner is returning. 5. apparatus.

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