JP7057907B1 - Cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning device capable of relaxing the momentum of an air flow discharged to the outside. A cleaning device includes a device main body and a cleaning unit 30. The cleaning unit 30 is sucked by the intake nozzle 33, the intake unit 70 that sucks the suction material on the surface to be cleaned from the intake nozzle 33 together with the air, the collection box that separates the suction material and collects it inside, and the intake unit 70. It is provided with an exhaust duct 80 that guides the cleaned air to the inside of the cleaning unit 30, and a cover that covers at least the exhaust duct 80 and forms an internal space between the exhaust duct 80. [Selection diagram] FIG. 8

Description

The present invention relates to a cleaning device that cleans the surface to be cleaned while moving the surface to be cleaned.

Conventionally, an autonomous traveling type cleaning device called a so-called cleaning robot is known. While traveling on the surface to be cleaned such as the floor surface, this cleaning device sucks air from the suction port of the intake nozzle facing the surface to be cleaned by an intake fan and sucks dust (suctioned material) on the surface to be cleaned. By doing so, the surface to be cleaned is cleaned. The sucked dust is sucked into the dust collection box attached to the cleaning device, separated from the air by the filter in the dust collection box, and collected in the collection box. The separated air is discharged to the outside through an exhaust duct.

The conventional cleaning robot is provided with an intake fan in the main body of the device, and has a configuration in which the cleaning unit mounted on the back surface of the main body of the device and the intake fan are connected by a hose. In this configuration, the air discharged from the intake fan is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port through the exhaust duct from the exhaust port of the intake fan to the exhaust port provided in the main body of the apparatus.

A vacuum cleaner having a circulation structure in which the discharged air is returned to the intake nozzle and circulated in the main body is known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-22696

However, since the vacuum cleaner described in the above-mentioned patent document is configured to return the discharged air to the intake nozzle, it is not possible to obtain a sufficient suction force.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned autonomous traveling type conventional cleaning device, since the exhaust duct is provided inside the device body, the control unit, the traveling unit, the battery, the power supply unit, and the motor mounted inside the device body. , Exhaust ducts must be laid around other equipment such as sensors. Therefore, the duct length becomes long and the flow path resistance also becomes large, which may reduce the suction force of the intake fan. Although the flow path resistance can be reduced by increasing the inner diameter of the exhaust duct, the main body of the device must be increased in order to secure the laying space of the exhaust duct, which hinders the compactification of the device. It will be.

Further, in the case of the configuration in which the air is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port provided on the surface of the device main body, the exhaust flow is blown around the cleaning robot, so that the exhaust flow hits the surrounding people and causes discomfort. May give. Further, if the exhaust flow hits a surrounding object, the state of the object may be changed. Therefore, it is not possible to increase the suction force of the intake nozzle by increasing the wind power of the intake fan. Further, since the exhaust flow may contain fine particulate matter that could not be separated by the filter, if the exhaust flow is vigorously blown out to the outside, the fine particulate matter will be scattered around.

Further, in the case of a configuration in which air is discharged to the outside from the discharge port provided on the bottom surface of the device main body, dust on the surface to be cleaned is scattered, which may deteriorate the cleaning efficiency.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device capable of alleviating the momentum of an air flow discharged to the outside.

(1) The cleaning device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a traveling body capable of traveling on the surface to be cleaned in the traveling direction and a traveling body.
A cleaning unit provided on the traveling body and capable of cleaning the surface to be cleaned is provided. The cleaning unit is sucked by an intake nozzle, an intake unit that sucks the suction material on the surface to be cleaned from the intake nozzle together with air, a collection container that separates the suction material and collects it inside, and the intake unit. It includes an exhaust duct that guides the generated air from the exhaust port of the intake unit to the inside of the cleaning unit, and a cover member that covers at least the exhaust duct and forms an internal space between the exhaust duct and the exhaust duct.

Due to this configuration, the air sucked from the collection container by the intake unit passes through the exhaust duct and is discharged to the internal space of the cleaning unit. The internal space serves as a buffer chamber for relaxing the momentum of the discharged air flow. Therefore, when air is discharged into the internal space, the momentum of the discharged air flow is relaxed. Further, the air flow discharged to the internal space is also relaxed by colliding with the inner surface of the cover member. The air flow whose momentum has been relaxed moves to every corner of the internal space while the momentum is further relaxed, and finally, it is gently discharged to the outside through the gaps of the mounting portions such as the cleaning unit and the cover member. As a result, the influence of the exhaust gas on the periphery of the cleaning device can be minimized, and the scattering of dust and fine particulate matter on the surface to be cleaned can be reduced. Further, by exhausting the air to the inside of the cleaning unit instead of the inside of the traveling body, the exhaust is not applied to the electronic devices such as the control unit and the electronic parts provided in the traveling body, which is caused by the blowing of the exhaust gas. It is possible to prevent malfunctions and failures of electronic devices.

(2) In the cleaning device of the present invention, the cleaning unit is mounted on the back surface of the traveling body. The intake unit sucks the air in the collection container from the discharge port provided in the upper part of the front surface on the traveling direction side of the collection container. The exhaust duct forms an exhaust flow path from the exhaust port of the intake portion to the internal space on the side of the collection container.

Since it is configured in this way, air can be guided to a relatively wide space partitioned on the side of the collection container. As a result, the discharged air flow can be mitigated more effectively.

(3) In the cleaning device of the present invention, the cleaning unit is attached to the outlet of the exhaust duct, and is further provided with a dispersion duct that disperses the flow of air discharged from the outlet into a plurality of distributed ducts toward the internal space. Be prepared.

Since such a dispersion duct is provided, the flow of the discharged air is dispersed in a plurality of flow paths. As a result, the air flow discharged to the internal space is further relaxed.

(4) In the cleaning device of the present invention, the dispersion duct has a hollow tubular shape inside, and has a plurality of openings on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

(5) In the cleaning device of the present invention, the plurality of openings are formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface facing the inner surface of the cover member.

Since it is configured in this way, the air discharged from the opening collides with the inner surface of the cover member, so that the air flow after the collision is further dispersed.

(6) The collection container is arranged at the center in the width direction on the back surface of the traveling body. The intake portion has a first exhaust port provided on one side surface in the width direction of the housing and a second exhaust port provided on the other side surface. The exhaust duct includes a first exhaust duct and a second exhaust duct. The first exhaust duct forms a first exhaust flow path from the first exhaust port to a space between the first side surface on one side of the upper part of the collection container and the cover member. The second exhaust duct forms a second exhaust flow path from the second exhaust port to the space between the other side of the second side surface of the collection container and the cover member.

Due to this configuration, the air sucked by the intake unit is divided into two and guided to the respective internal spaces partitioned on both sides in the width direction. As a result, the flow of air discharged into the internal space can be further relaxed.

(7) The cleaning device of the present invention further includes a propulsion transmission unit that transmits the propulsive force in the traveling direction to the surface to be cleaned to advance the traveling body.

Since it is configured in this way, the cleaning device can run autonomously.

According to the present invention, it is possible to relax the momentum of the air flow discharged to the outside.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the front side of the cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the internal configuration of the cleaning device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the rear side of the cleaning device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the collection box is removed in the perspective view of FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the back cover is removed in the perspective view of FIG. 4, and shows the internal structure of the cleaning unit. 6A and 6B are side views of the rear part of the cleaning device, FIG. 6A is a view showing a state in which the collection box of the cleaning device is attached, and FIG. 6B is a view showing a state in which the collection box of the cleaning device is attached. It is a figure which shows the state. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit alone as viewed from the front side, and shows the internal configuration of the cleaning unit. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cleaning unit alone as viewed from the front side, and shows the internal configuration of the cleaning unit. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the intake unit included in the cleaning device as viewed from the rear side. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the intake unit included in the cleaning device as viewed from the front side. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing a distribution duct included in the intake unit. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cross-sectional structure in which the upper part of the cleaning unit is cut horizontally.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction D1, the front-rear direction D2, the left-right direction or the width direction D3 shown in each figure are used.

[Cleaning device 10]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the front side of the autonomous traveling type cleaning device 10 (an example of the cleaning device of the present invention) according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the internal structure of the cleaning device 10.

The cleaning device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is an autonomous traveling device that autonomously moves forward (in the direction of travel) on the floor surface 23 (see FIG. 2) of a concourse such as an airport, a station, or a shopping mall, and is also referred to as a mobile robot. Has been done. The cleaning device 10 sucks up dust, dust, and other debris (suctioned material) on the floor surface 23, which is the surface to be cleaned, while moving by autonomous traveling, separates the debris by a filter, and collects the collection box 16 (see FIG. 2). ) To collect. The cleaning device 10 automatically cleans while traveling on the floor surface 23 based on various cleaning information such as a travel route and a cleaning area input in advance, a cleaning time zone, and a return position for returning for charging.

The cleaning device 10 is merely an example of the cleaning device of the present invention, and the present invention is, for example, a cleaning device for cleaning an indoor floor surface 23 while autonomously traveling, a road surface such as an outdoor pedestrian road or a car road. It can also be applied to a cleaning device that cleans while autonomously traveling. Further, the cleaning device 10 may be at least an autonomous traveling type mobile robot having a cleaning function, and is not limited to the cleaning device 10 having only a cleaning function. For example, the present invention may be an autonomous traveling type mobile robot having another function for realizing other uses in addition to the cleaning function. For example, in addition to the cleaning function, the present invention autonomously travels such as a mobile robot having a function of guarding while autonomously traveling, a mobile robot having a nursing care function, a mobile robot having a luggage carrying function, and a mobile robot having a display guidance function. It can also be applied to devices. Further, the present invention is not limited to a mobile robot that autonomously travels, and is also applicable to, for example, a manual cleaning device that is manually pushed by an operator to clean the floor surface 23.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 10 includes a device main body 11 which is an example of a traveling body, and a cleaning unit 30 provided on the device main body 11. The apparatus main body 11 is provided with a traveling unit 12 (an example of a propulsion transmission unit of the present invention), a motor 13, a battery 14, an operation unit 20, a display panel 21, an operation handle 22, a control unit 40, and the like. Further, the cleaning device 10 can adjust the height position of the slide mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2) that supports the cleaning unit 30 so as to be movable in the vertical direction D1, and the cleaning unit 30 at the adjusted position. It is provided with a position adjusting mechanism 60 (see FIG. 7) for holding 30.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 11 has an exterior cover 11A constituting its exterior. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 11 has a chassis 11B below the apparatus main body 11. The chassis 11B is provided substantially parallel to the floor surface 23. Further, inside the apparatus main body 11, a support frame for supporting each of the above-mentioned functional portions is appropriately provided.

The device main body 11 is configured to be able to travel on the floor surface 23, which is the surface to be cleaned, in a predetermined traveling direction. In the present embodiment, the device main body 11 can be traveled by the traveling unit 12. As shown in FIG. 2, the traveling unit 12 is provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body 11. The traveling unit 12 transmits the propulsive force in the traveling direction to the floor surface 23 while maintaining the traveling posture of the apparatus main body 11, and is attached to the chassis 11B. The traveling unit 12 has a pair of wheels 121 for traveling and four casters 122.

The wheels 121 are rotatably attached to both ends of the chassis 11B in the front-rear direction and at both ends in the left-right direction D3 (width direction). The four casters 122 are for maintaining the traveling posture of the apparatus main body 11, and are rotatably attached to both ends of the front end of the chassis 11B and both ends of the rear end of the chassis 11B. With the cleaning device 10 placed on the floor surface 23, the outer peripheral surfaces of the wheels 121 and the casters 122 are supported by the floor surface 23. As a result, the apparatus main body 11 is maintained in the traveling posture shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The output shaft of the motor 13 is connected to the rotating shaft of the wheel 121 via a transmission mechanism such as a reduction gear. Therefore, when the motor 13 is driven and its rotational driving force is output from the output shaft, the rotational driving force of the motor 13 is transmitted to the wheels 121. In the present embodiment, the motor 13 is individually provided for each of the pair of wheels 121. Therefore, the rotational speed of each wheel 121 is controlled by individually driving and controlling each motor 13. For example, when the rotation speed of each wheel 121 is controlled to a constant speed, the cleaning device 10 advances straight, and when the rotation speed of each wheel 121 is controlled to a different speed, cleaning is performed on the wheel 121 side having a slow rotation speed. The device 10 turns.

The battery 14 is provided in the center of the apparatus main body 11. The battery 14 supplies electric power for driving to the motor 13 and the motor 74 (see FIG. 10) of the intake fan 72 of the intake unit 70 described later.

The operation unit 20 is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 11. The operation unit 20 is attached to the exterior cover 11A. The operation unit 20 is a device operated by an operator, and is, for example, a terminal device having a touch panel capable of touch operation. Various registration information (information such as travel route, cleaning area, cleaning time zone, return position information, etc.) for the cleaning device 10 can be input from the operation unit 20. The input registration information is transferred to the control unit 40 and used for travel control by the control unit 40.

The display panel 21 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 11. The display panel 21 is, for example, a liquid crystal panel. On the display panel 21, various announcement information is displayed by the control unit 40 during cleaning. The announcement information is, for example, information indicating that cleaning is in progress, guidance information regarding the floor being cleaned, and the like.

The operation handle 22 is provided at the uppermost portion of the back surface of the apparatus main body 11. The operation handle 22 is used when the operator manually operates the cleaning device 10 to clean it, or when the operator performs a teaching operation (teaching operation) for causing the cleaning device 10 to teach a traveling route. Is an operating member to be gripped by. The operation handle 22 is provided with various operation buttons for receiving driving operations from the operator. The operation information for the operation button is transferred to the control unit 40 and used for travel control by the control unit 40.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 40 is provided on the upper part of the apparatus main body 11. The control unit 40 controls the running of the cleaning device 10, the driving of the motor 74 of the intake unit 70, the screen display of the display panel 21, and the like. The control unit 40 includes, for example, a control board (control board) in which control devices such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM are mounted on the board, a storage device such as an HDD or a flash memory, and a GPS receiver. The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile memory in which control programs such as a BIOS and an OS for causing the CPU to execute various processes are stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile or non-volatile memory that stores various types of information, and is used as a temporary storage memory (work area) for various processes executed by the CPU. By executing various control programs stored in advance in the ROM or the storage device in the CPU, the control unit 40 runs the cleaning device 10, drives the motor 74 of the intake fan 72, displays the screen of the display panel 21, and the like. To control.

[Cleaning unit 30]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the rear side of the cleaning device 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning unit 30 is provided on the back surface of the apparatus main body 11. The cleaning unit 30 is supported by the slide mechanism 50 on the back frame 11C included in the apparatus main body 11 so as to be movable in the vertical direction D1.

The cleaning unit 30 includes a collection box 31 (an example of a collection container of the present invention), a support holder 32, an intake nozzle 33, an expansion nozzle 34 (see FIG. 3), and an intake unit 70 (an example of an intake unit of the present invention). ), An exhaust duct 80, and a cover 35 (an example of a cover member of the present invention).

The support holder 32 is provided on the back surface of the apparatus main body 11. The support holder 32 is a support member that detachably supports the collection box 31. The collection box 31 is detachably attached to the support holder 32.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the collection box 31 is removed from the support holder 32, and FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a state in which the cover 35 is removed in the perspective view of FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a storage portion 322 capable of accommodating the collection box 31 is provided at the center of the support holder 32 in the left-right direction D3 (width direction). The collection box 31 is attached to the accommodating portion 322. That is, the collection box 31 is arranged at the center of the width direction D3 on the back surface of the apparatus main body 11.

The cover 35 is attached to the support holder 32. By mounting the cover 35 on the support holder 32, the exhaust duct 80 and the distribution duct 85, which will be described later, provided inside the cleaning unit 30 are covered, and an internal space is created between the support holder 32 and the inner surface of the cover 35. Form.

The accommodating portion 322 divides the concave accommodating space extending in the vertical direction D1 together with the cover 35 in a state where the cover 35 is attached to the support holder 32. The collection box 31 is detachably attached to the accommodating portion 322, and is accommodated in the concave accommodating space of the accommodating portion 322 in a state of being attached to the accommodating portion 322.

As shown in FIG. 3, an intake nozzle 33 is provided below the support holder 32. In the present embodiment, the intake nozzle 33 is integrally formed with the support holder 32. Further, an expansion nozzle 34 is provided on the side portion of the support holder 32.

The intake nozzle 33 is a portion that sucks up dust and the like together with air from the floor surface 23 when the intake fan 72 is operated. The intake nozzle 33 has an intake port 331 at a position separated by a predetermined gap ΔT upward from the floor surface 23. The intake nozzle 33 has a long shape in the width direction D3, and is composed of a square cylindrical outer peripheral wall 332 that projects downward from the outer peripheral portion of the bottom plate 324 of the base portion 321.

A sheet-shaped seal member 335 having elasticity extending to the floor surface 23 is provided at the rear edge of the suction port 331 of the intake nozzle 33. The seal member 335 has a rectangular shape that is long in the width direction D3. The seal member 335 closes the gap ΔT between the rear edge of the suction port 331 and the floor surface 23.

The intake nozzle 33 is rotatably provided with a pair of rotating brushes 26 (see FIG. 2) arranged side by side in the front-rear direction D2. Each rotating brush 26 rotates by transmitting a rotational driving force from a motor (not shown) included in the cleaning unit 30 via a transmission mechanism 39 (see FIG. 5) such as a belt or a pulley. When the rotating brush 26 is rotated while the cleaning device 10 is running, dust on the floor surface 23 is well collected.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the expansion nozzle 34 is provided on the left side of the support holder 32 when the cleaning device 10 is viewed from the front. A storage space 38 is provided on the left side of the support holder 32, and the expansion nozzle 34 can be stored in the storage space 38. The expansion nozzle 34 is rotatably supported by the support holder 32. Specifically, the expansion nozzle 34 is accommodated in the accommodation space 38 (the posture shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) and is tilted to the left from the accommodation space 38 and is tilted to the left side to the floor surface 23 on the left side of the apparatus main body 11. Is supported by the support holder 32 so that the posture can be changed from the side cleaning posture (not shown) that can be cleaned.

As shown in FIG. 5, the support holder 32 is provided on the back side of the cleaning device 10. Inside the apparatus main body 11, a plate-shaped back frame 11C extending upward from the rear end portion of the chassis 11B is provided. The support holder 32 is attached to the rear frame 11C. In the present embodiment, the support holder 32 is supported on the back frame 11C of the apparatus main body 11 so as to be movable in the vertical direction D1 by the slide mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the cleaning unit 30 itself can move in the vertical direction D1. As the slide mechanism 50, for example, a well-known slide rail can be applied.

The support holder 32 has a plate-shaped base portion 321 extending in the vertical direction D1. The base portion 321 is attached to the rear frame 11C (see FIG. 2) via a slide mechanism 50 (see FIG. 2).

The accommodating portion 322 is integrally formed with the base portion 321. The accommodating portion 322 is provided on the rear surface 321A of the base portion 321 and is arranged at the center of the base portion 321 in the width direction D3. The accommodating portion 322 has a pair of side plates 322A and a holding plate 322B. The pair of side plates 322A are spaced apart from each other in the width direction D3. The holding plate 322B is attached to each side plate 322A so as to pass the rear end portion of the lower portion of each side plate 322A in the width direction D3. Further, a bottom plate 324 forming the upper surface of the intake nozzle 33 is provided at the lower portion of the base portion 321. The collection box 31 is housed in a storage space surrounded by a pair of side plates 322A, a holding plate 322B, and a bottom plate 324.

With the cover 35 attached, the accommodating portion 322 is open on the rear side and also on the upper side (see FIG. 4). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the collection box 31 is attached to or removed from the diagonally upper side behind the accommodating portion 322. Here, FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B) are side views of the rear portion of the cleaning device 10, and FIG. 6 (A) shows a state in which the collection box 31 is attached to the accommodating portion 322. (B) shows a state in which the collection box 31 is removed from the accommodating portion 322.

As shown in FIG. 4, two intake ports 73 are exposed in the support holder 32 with the collection box 31 removed. The two intake ports 73 are through holes formed in the base portion 321 and serve as intake ports of the fan main body 71 included in the intake unit 70 described later. The two intake ports 73 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction D3.

In the present embodiment, with the collection box 31 mounted on the accommodating portion 322, two discharge ports (not shown) provided on the front side surface (front surface) of the collection box 31 are connected to the intake port 73. .. As a result, the intake unit 70 and the collection box 31 are connected so that air can be taken from the collection box 31.

Inside the collection box 31, an air filter is provided that collects and removes dust and other debris from the air discharged from the discharge port to make clean air. As the air filter, for example, a chemical filter, a HEPA filter, a ULPA filter, or the like can be used.

A long rectangular opening 323 in the width direction D3 is formed on the bottom surface of the accommodating portion 322. The opening 323 communicates with the intake nozzle 33, which will be described later. With the collection box 31 mounted on the accommodating portion 322, the intake port 311 provided on the bottom surface of the collection box 31 is aligned with the opening 323. As a result, the intake nozzle 33 and the collection box 31 communicate with each other. When the intake fan 72 is driven to perform intake, the inside of the collection box 31 becomes a negative pressure, which causes dust and other debris to be sucked up from the intake nozzle 33 together with air. Then, the sucked dust flows into the collection box 16 through the intake port 311 and is collected in the collection box 31.

[Position adjustment mechanism 60]
7 and 8 are perspective views of the cleaning unit 30 as viewed from the front side, and show the internal structure of the cleaning unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the position adjusting mechanism 60 is roughly classified into a support shaft 61 provided in the apparatus main body 11 and a dial unit 62 provided in the cleaning unit 30. Although the support shaft 61 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 for convenience of explanation, the support shaft 61 is not provided in the cleaning unit 30, but is a member provided in the apparatus main body 11.

The support shaft 61 is a member for positioning the cleaning unit 30 at a cleaning position arranged at the time of cleaning. The cleaning unit 30 is restricted from moving downward from the cleaning position by engaging the rotary cam (not shown) of the dial unit 62 with the support shaft 61.

The support shaft 61 is a horizontal shaft member extending in the width direction D3, and is fixed to a support frame or the like of the apparatus main body 11. The rotary cam included in the dial unit 62 is supported on the upper surface of the support shaft 61, so that the cleaning unit 30 supported by the slide mechanism 50 is held at the cleaning position.

The cleaning unit 30 is provided with two dial units 62. The two dial units 62 are attached to a bracket 325 fixed to the front surface 321B of the base portion 321. The two dial units 62 are arranged side by side in the width direction D3.

The dial unit 62 has an adjustment dial 69 (see FIG. 5) rotatably provided on the surface 321A of the base portion 321. The rotary cam is attached to the rotary shaft of the adjustment dial 69. When the adjustment dial 69 is operated by an operator, the rotary cam rotates according to the operation direction and the operation amount. As a result, the cleaning unit 30 rises or falls according to the amount of lift on the cam surface that abuts on the support shaft 61. The adjustment dial 69 is locked to the adjusted position by a lock mechanism (not shown).

[Intake unit 70]
The intake unit 70 is provided on the upper part of the cleaning unit 30, and more specifically, is attached to the base portion 321 of the support holder 32. The intake unit 70 generates a suction force for sucking air from the intake nozzle 33 of the cleaning unit 30, and sucks dust and other debris (suctioned material) on the floor surface 23 together with air from the intake nozzle 33.

9 and 10 are perspective views of the intake unit 70. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the intake unit 70 includes a fan body 71 having an intake fan 72 (72A, 72B) and a motor 74 (74A, 72B) for rotating the intake fan 72. The fan main body 71 has a box-shaped housing 711 having a long rectangular parallelepiped shape in the width direction D3, and two intake fans 72 are rotatably supported inside the housing 711. The two intake fans 72 are arranged in the housing 711 at predetermined intervals in the width direction D3.

The motor 74 is driven and controlled by a control unit 40 provided in the apparatus main body 11. As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the front side of the fan body 71 and the entire motor 74 enter the inside side of the device body 11 through an opening (not shown) formed in the rear frame 11C. The air discharged from the exhaust duct 80, which will be described later, is not blown to the motor 74 or the like.

The intake fan 72 is, for example, a centrifugal fan or a sirocco fan (multi-blade fan) that blows air in a direction perpendicular to the intake direction D11. The intake fan 72 is arranged so that its suction port faces the intake port 73. A rotary support portion is provided at the center of the intake fan 72, and the output shaft of the motor 74 is attached to the rotary support portion. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the intake fan 72A and the motor 74A arranged on the left side are connected, and the intake fan 72B and the motor 74B arranged on the right side are connected.

As shown in FIG. 9, a partition plate 712 for suppressing turbulence during operation of each intake fan 72 is provided between the two intake fans 72. The partition plate 712 is located at the center of the housing 711 in the width direction and extends in the vertical direction D1.

The rear surface of the housing 711 is open, and a sealing member 714 is provided on the peripheral edge of the opening 713. In the present embodiment, the housing 711 is fixed to the base portion 321 so that the opening 713 is closed by the surface 321B of the base portion 321 of the support holder 32. In this state, when the motor 74 is driven and the intake fan 72 rotates, the air in the collection box 31 is sucked from the intake port 73 and sent out to the exhaust duct 80 described later. Further, since the partition plate 712 is provided in the housing 711, when the intake fan 72A rotates, air does not flow into the intake fan 72B side, but air is sent out toward the exhaust duct 80A located on the left side. Is done. Further, when the intake fan 72B rotates, the air does not flow into the intake fan 72A side, but is sent out toward the exhaust duct 80B located on the right side.

As shown in FIG. 10, the intake unit 70 is provided with two exhaust ducts 80 (80A, 80B). Each exhaust duct 80 is integrally formed with the housing 711. The exhaust duct 80 may be a member separate from the housing 711 and may be attached to the housing 711.

The exhaust duct 80 is a duct member that guides the air sucked into the housing 711 by the intake unit 70 from the exhaust port 76 (exhaust port, see FIG. 12) of the housing 711 to the internal space of the cleaning unit 30. The two exhaust ducts 80 are separated by the width direction D3, and the exhaust duct 80A located on the left side allows air to flow from the exhaust port 76A provided on the left side surface of the housing 711 to the upper part of the internal space of the cleaning unit 30. The exhaust duct 80B located on the right side guides air from the exhaust port 76 provided on the right side surface of the housing 711 to the upper part of the internal space of the cleaning unit 30.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, in the internal space of the cleaning unit 30, the upper space 39A is partitioned on the upper left side of the collection box 31, and the upper space 39B is partitioned on the upper side on the right side. There is. The upper spaces 39A and 39B are partitioned by a cover 35 and a support holder 32. Specifically, the upper space 39A is a space formed between the left side surface (first side surface) of the collection box 31 and the inner surface of the cover 35. Further, the upper space 39B is a space formed between the right side surface (second side surface) of the collection box 31 and the inner surface of the cover 35.

In this embodiment, the exhaust duct 80A guides air to the upper space 39A. That is, the exhaust duct 80A is a duct member that forms an air flow path (first exhaust flow path) from the exhaust port 76A to the upper space 39A. Further, the exhaust duct 80B guides air to the upper space 39B. That is, the exhaust duct 80B is a duct member that forms an air flow path (second exhaust flow path) from the exhaust port 76 on the right side surface of the housing 711 to the upper space 39B. The exhaust port 76 is an example of the first exhaust port and the second exhaust port of the present invention. Further, the exhaust ducts 80A and 80B are examples of the first exhaust duct and the second exhaust duct of the present invention.

Since such an exhaust duct 80 is provided, as shown in FIG. 12, the air sucked from the collection box 31 by the intake unit 70 passes through the exhaust duct 80, the dispersion duct 85 described later, and the upper part. It is discharged into spaces 39A and 39B (see the white arrow). The upper spaces 39A and 39B serve as a buffer chamber for relaxing the momentum of the discharged air flow. Therefore, when air is discharged to the upper spaces 39A and 39B, the momentum of the air flow is relaxed. Further, the air flow discharged to the upper spaces 39A and 39B is also relaxed by colliding with the inner surface of the cover 35. The air flow whose momentum has been relaxed moves from the upper spaces 39A and 39B to the entire internal space of the cleaning unit 30, while the momentum is further relaxed, and finally, the gap between the cover 35 and the support holder 32 and the gap between the cover 35 and the support holder 32. It is discharged to the outside through a gap between the support holder 32 and the back frame 11C.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, each exhaust duct 80 (80A, 80B) is provided with a distribution duct 85. The distribution duct 85 is attached to the outlet 81 (see FIG. 12) of the exhaust duct 80. The distribution duct 85 is a member that disperses the flow of air discharged from the outlet 81 through the exhaust duct 80 toward the upper spaces 39A and 39B into a plurality of flows.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the left half of the intake unit 70, showing the structure of the distribution duct 85. As shown in FIG. 11, the dispersion duct 85 is formed in a tubular shape extending rearward from the outlet 81 (see FIG. 12). The inside of the dispersion duct 85 is a cavity, which is a flow path through which air passes. A plurality of openings 86 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distribution duct 85. A rear wall 88 is provided at the rear end of the dispersion duct 85, and is blocked by the rear wall 88.

In the present embodiment, the dispersion duct 85 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and four openings 86 are formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Further, a sheet-shaped filter 87 (see FIG. 9) is attached to the dispersion duct 85 so as to cover the outer peripheral surface thereof. The filter 87 is made of, for example, a non-woven fabric or a porous member such as a sponge member. Note that FIG. 11 shows a state in which the filter 87 is removed.

As shown in FIG. 11, of the four openings 86, two openings 86 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction D2 on one side (left side) of the width direction D3, and the other side (right side) of the width direction D3. ), The remaining two openings 86 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction D2. A filter 87 is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the dispersion duct 85 so as to close these four openings 86.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the plurality of openings 86 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dispersion duct 85 at least in a portion facing the inner surface of the cover 35. It is not necessary that all of the plurality of openings 86 face the inner surface of the cover 35, and at least one opening 86 may be arranged so as to face the inner surface of the cover 35.

Since such a distribution duct 85 is attached to the exhaust duct 80, the air flow flowing into the distribution duct 85 from the exhaust duct 80 is divided into a plurality of openings 86 and blown out from each opening 86 (white outline). See arrow). As a result, the air flow passing through the dispersion duct 85 is dispersed in a plurality of flow paths, so that the momentum can be relaxed. Further, as described above, the air blown out from the opening 86 is further relaxed in the upper spaces 39A and 39B, and further relaxed by colliding with the inner surface of the cover 35, and finally the cover. It is discharged to the outside through a gap between the support holder 32 and the support holder 32, a gap between the support holder 32 and the back frame 11C, and the like.

As a result, the influence of the exhaust gas discharged around the cleaning device 10 can be minimized, and the scattering of dust on the floor surface 23 and the scattering of fine particulate matter contained in the discharged air can be reduced. can do.

Further, since the exhaust duct 80 is laid in the cleaning unit 30, the flow path resistance can be suppressed as compared with the case where the duct is laid from the cleaning unit 30 to the device main body 11, and the suction efficiency of the intake fan 72 can be improved. It can prevent the decrease. Further, even if the inner diameter of the exhaust duct is increased in order to increase the suction force of the intake fan 72, the cleaning unit 30 and the device main body 11 are not enlarged, and the cleaning device 10 can be made compact.

Further, by discharging the air to the inside of the cleaning unit 30 instead of the inside of the device main body 11, the exhaust is not applied to the electronic devices such as the control unit and the electronic parts provided in the device main body 11. Further, since the motor 74 is arranged on the device main body 11 side through the opening of the rear frame 11C, even if the motor 74 is exhausted into the cleaning unit 30, no malfunction or failure due to the exhaust occurs in the motor 74.

In the present embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality of exhaust ducts 80 are provided in the cleaning unit 30 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the present invention can be applied even in a configuration provided with one exhaust duct 80 or a configuration provided with three or more exhaust ducts 80.

10: Cleaning device 11: Device body 11C: Rear frame 12: Traveling unit 13: Motor 14: Battery 15: Intake unit 16: Collection box 23: Floor surface 30: Cleaning unit 31: Collection box 32: Support holder 33: Intake nozzle 35: Cover 39A: Upper space 39B: Upper space 40: Control unit 70: Intake unit 71: Fan body 72: Intake fan 73: Intake port 74: Motor 76: Exhaust port 80: Exhaust duct 81: Outlet 85: Distributed duct 86: Opening 87: Filter 88: Rear wall

Claims (7)

A traveling body that can travel in the direction of travel on the surface to be cleaned,
A cleaning unit provided on the traveling body and capable of cleaning the surface to be cleaned is provided.
The cleaning unit is
With the intake nozzle,
An intake unit that sucks the suctioned material on the surface to be cleaned together with air from the intake nozzle,
A collection container that separates the suction material and collects it inside,
An exhaust duct that guides the air sucked by the intake unit from the exhaust port of the intake unit to the inside of the cleaning unit.
A cleaning device including at least a cover member that covers the exhaust duct and forms an internal space between the exhaust duct and the exhaust duct. The cleaning unit is mounted on the back surface of the traveling body and is mounted on the back surface of the traveling body.
The intake unit sucks the air in the collection container from the discharge port provided in the upper part of the front surface on the traveling direction side of the collection container.
The cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust duct forms an exhaust flow path from the exhaust port of the intake unit to the internal space on the side of the collection container. The cleaning unit is
The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a dispersion duct attached to an outlet of the exhaust duct and dispersing the flow of air discharged from the outlet in a plurality of ways toward the internal space. The cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the dispersion duct has a hollow tubular shape inside and has a plurality of openings on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The cleaning device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of openings are formed in a portion of the outer peripheral surface facing the inner surface of the cover member. The collection container is arranged at the center in the width direction on the back surface of the traveling body.
The intake portion has a first exhaust port provided on one side surface in the width direction of the housing and a second exhaust port provided on the other side surface.
The exhaust duct is
A first exhaust duct forming a first exhaust flow path from the first exhaust port to a space between the first side surface on one side of the upper part of the collection container and the cover member.
1. The first aspect of the present invention includes a second exhaust duct forming a second exhaust flow path from the second exhaust port to a space between the second side surface on the other side of the upper part of the collection container and the cover member. The cleaning device according to any one of 5 to 5. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a propulsion transmission unit that transmits the propulsive force in the traveling direction to the surface to be cleaned to advance the traveling body.

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