KR100544479B1 - A dust collector of robot-cleaner, and method for cleaning dust collected therein - Google Patents

Abstract

The dust container of the robot vacuum cleaner according to the present invention has an inlet and an exhaust port, and is installed in a dust collecting chamber of the robot cleaner in a detachable state; A cover mounted to the main body to open and close the exhaust port; Including a dust discharge port formed in the main body, as well as to remove the foreign matter collected in the robot cleaner clean, as well as the removal method is convenient.

Robot vacuum cleaner, dust container, dust collection room, cleaning method, foreign substance

Description

Dust collector of a robot cleaner and a method of treating dust collected using the same {A DUST COLLECTOR OF ROBOT-CLEANER, AND METHOD FOR CLEANING DUST COLLECTED THEREIN}

1 is a perspective view showing a robot cleaner applied with a dust container according to an embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the main portion of Figure 1, showing the concrete configuration of the dust container that can be withdrawn in the dust collecting chamber,

3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dust container of FIG. 2 housed in a dust collecting chamber of a robot cleaner;

4 is an exploded perspective view of a dust container according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a flow chart for explaining the dust treatment method collected in the robot cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention,

6 is an exploded perspective view showing a dust container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

20: robot cleaner 21: reducer

22: intake port 23: dust collecting chamber

24: exhaust port 25: door

35: imaging unit 41: upper cover

51: dust container 53: the body

55 cover 56 exhaust port

61 intake port 63: intake pipe portion

67 dust outlet 69 gasket

71: handle 91: filter

100: sealing member 110: sealing member handle

The present invention relates to a dust container of a robot cleaner, and more particularly, to a dust container detachably housed in a dust chamber in a robot cleaner for cleaning dust and dirt while traveling by itself, and a method for treating dust collection using the same. It is about.

The foreign matter sucked with the air into the robot cleaner is usually collected in the dust collecting chamber, and then only the air is discharged to the outside. At this time, the foreign matter collected in the dust collecting chamber is removed by opening the door visually exposed on the outer surface of the robot vacuum cleaner or pulling out the dust container separately contained in the dust collecting chamber to the outside.

However, the method of treating the foreign matter collected in the conventional robot cleaner is inconvenient because the user has to perform it manually by hand. If there is no dust container, it is necessary to turn over the robot cleaner to remove the foreign matter collected therein, and even if there is a dust container, it is troublesome to withdraw the dust container in the robot cleaner.

In addition, in order to reduce the weight or volume of the robot cleaner, the dust collector of the robot cleaner has a smaller capacity compared to the dust collector or paperback of a general vacuum cleaner, so the user must frequently empty the dust collector of the robot cleaner.

In particular, since the discharge hole is very narrow compared with the space where the foreign matter is collected, it is difficult to discharge the foreign matter to the outside, and it is difficult to remove the foreign matter even if it is treated. As such, foreign matter remaining in the dust collecting space is gradually deposited on the inner wall, and the treatment becomes more difficult as time passes, and the suction performance is deteriorated. Therefore, in order to treat the foreign matter well, troublesome and cumbersome work is required, such as shaking the robot cleaner or the dust container severely, and in most cases, the foreign matter is not easily and cleanly removed.

An object of the present invention, in consideration of these problems in the prior art, can remove the dust collected in the interior of the robot cleaner clean, easy to remove the dust container of the robot cleaner and dust collected therein using the same It is to provide a way to handle.

The above object includes: a main body having an intake port and an exhaust port and installed in a dust-collecting chamber of the robot cleaner; A cover mounted to the main body to open and close the exhaust port; It is achieved by the dust container of the robot cleaner comprising a; dust outlet formed in the main body.

 Here, the cover coupled to the exhaust port of the dust container is preferably configured with a filter so that dust collected is not discharged through the exhaust port. In this way, the dust collecting performance of the dust contained in the air can be improved, and there is no fear that the dust or the like will flow into the suction motor installed at the rear end of the exhaust port of the robot cleaner.

In addition, the main body may further include an intake pipe portion protruding inwardly from the intake port and a handle portion adjacent to the dust discharge.

Here, the opening of the intake pipe portion is preferably provided with a blockage to block the opening by its own weight and open by the air pressure flowing through the intake port. At this time, the user can easily detach the dust container to the dust collecting chamber of the robot vacuum cleaner according to the present invention. In addition, by forming the intake pipe portion to protrude into the dust container and installing a blockage, there is an advantage that can prevent the backflow of the air containing the introduced dust.

In addition, the dust discharge port is preferably provided with a sealing member.

In addition, the sealing member is preferably formed of an elastic member so as to be able to fit in the dust outlet.

In addition, the sealing member is preferably formed with a sealing member handle provided to facilitate the separation from the dust outlet.

In addition, the object of the present invention, after collecting the dust contained in the air sucked through the intake port of the robot vacuum cleaner in the dust container accommodated in the dust collecting chamber, and exhausting through the exhaust port; And removing the dust collected in the dust container by bringing the suction port of the separate discharge unit into close contact with the dust discharge port formed in the dust container, and is also achieved by the method of processing the dust collected in the robot cleaner.

  Here, the discharge unit is preferably a general vacuum or handy vacuum cleaner. In this way, the user can avoid the hassle of frequently emptying the dust container of the robot cleaner having a small capacity, and can easily discharge the dust without having to separate it from the dust collecting chamber.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a robot cleaner to which the dust container of the present invention is applied. As can be seen in the drawing, the robot cleaner 20 has an image capturing unit exposure hole (see 42 in FIG. 2) at the center of the upper cover 41 and the upper cover 41, and a display window at one side thereof. 43 and a plurality of display lamp exposure holes 45 are formed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the main portion of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an assembled cross-sectional view of Figure 2, showing the configuration of the robot cleaner in more detail. As can be seen in these figures, the robot cleaner 20 includes a suction unit 21 for sucking and treating air containing foreign substances and a load driving unit 31 for driving and cleaning. The robot cleaner 20 is equipped with an imaging unit 35 and a transmission / reception unit (not shown). The robot cleaner 20 uses these to check magnetic positions and obstacles and is capable of traveling.

The dust collecting unit 21 is a dust collecting chamber 23 of the present invention which is detachably housed in the dust collecting chamber 23 opened upwardly, the door 25 opening and closing the upward opening of the dust collecting chamber 23, and the dust collecting chamber 23 ( 51). One side of the dust collecting chamber 23 is equipped with a suction motor 27 for generating a suction force. The dust collecting unit 21 also includes a suction brush unit (not shown) for introducing air containing foreign matter into the dust collecting chamber 23.

In the dust collecting chamber 23, the intake port 22 is formed in the bottom surface, and the exhaust port 24 is formed in the one wall surface. The intake port 22 has a port rib 22 'protruding upward toward the interior of the dust collecting chamber 23. As shown in FIG. A hook hole (not shown) is formed in the upper opening of the dust collecting chamber 23, for example. On the other hand, the door 25 is provided with a hook which is engaged with the hook groove of the dust collecting chamber 23, and is openably fixed to the upward opening of the dust collecting chamber 23. The suction brush unit is installed below the dust collecting chamber 23.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the dust container of the present invention shown in FIG. As can be seen in this figure, the dust container 51 is composed of a main body 53 which forms a dust storage space, and a cover 55 detachably coupled to the main body 53. In the main body 53, one side surface corresponding to the wall surface on which the exhaust port 24 of the dust collecting chamber 23 is formed is formed as the opening 54. A cover 55 is coupled to the opening 54, and an exhaust port 56 corresponding to the exhaust port 24 is formed on one surface of the cover 55. The filter 91 is coupled to the exhaust port 56 of the cover 55.

The main body 53 is provided with an inlet port (see 61 in FIG. 3) at its bottom plate. The intake port 61 is opened corresponding to the intake port 22 of the dust collecting chamber 23 and has a size that can accommodate the port rib 22 'of the intake port 22. As a result, the air including the foreign matter sucked through the intake port 22 may flow into the dust container 53. An intake pipe portion 63 protruding upward is formed in the intake port 61 of the main body 51. An opening formed at the end of the intake pipe portion 63 is provided with a clogged hinge (65 in FIG. 3) to open and close. The blockage 65 rotates downward by its own weight to block the opening of the intake pipe portion 63 and is opened by the air pressure discharged from the outside into the main body 53.

In the main body 53, a dust outlet 67 is opened at one side of the upper plate. The dust outlet 67 is exposed to the outside in a state in which the door 25 of the dust collecting chamber 23 is opened. At this time, the user may closely contact the suction part of the general vacuum cleaner (not shown) or the handy vacuum cleaner (not shown) with the dust outlet 67, and discharge the dust collected therein. Preferably, a suction opening corresponding to the shape of the dust outlet 67 of the dust container main body 53 of the present invention is formed in the suction part of the vacuum cleaner or the handy vacuum cleaner.

On the other hand, in the dust discharge port 67 of the main body 53, grooves are recessed inward along the longitudinal edge thereof. The size of the recessed groove corresponds to the size of the suction opening formed in the suction portion of the vacuum cleaner or the handy cleaner. The groove is preferably provided with a gasket 69 for maintaining airtightness between the suction part of the vacuum cleaner or the handy vacuum cleaner.

In the upper plate of the main body 53, a handle portion 71 is formed at the center portion thereof. The handle portion 71 is also exposed to the outside in a state in which the door 25 of the dust collecting chamber 23 is opened, and the user can hold the handle portion 71 to withdraw the dust container 51. The handle portion 71 has a structure recessed in the top plate, it is possible to simply form a single body during the injection molding of the main body (53). Here, the main body 53 is preferably made of a transparent material so that the amount of foreign matter collected therein can be identified.

The cover 55 may be manufactured in various forms that are easily detachable with respect to the main body 53. For example, the engaging protrusion may be formed at the engaging edge of the cover 55 and the protruding groove 52 may be formed in the main body 53. In addition, the separation protrusion 57 protrudes from the upper portion of the cover 55 so that the main body 53 can be easily separated. On the inner surface of the main body 53, it is preferable to mount the gasket 93 along its longitudinal direction for airtightness with the main body 53.

The filter 91 detachable to the exhaust port 56 of the cover 55 is provided with a plurality of filter windows on the circumferential outer surface thereof. The porous filtering member is attached to the outer surface of the filter window. With this structure, the fine material contained in the air exhausted through the exhaust port is filtered.

On the other hand, a vacuum cleaner or a handy vacuum cleaner has a vacuum generator built therein. The dust collected in the dust container 51 can be treated by sucking the dust of the vacuum cleaner or the handy vacuum cleaner in the state corresponding to the dust outlet 67 of the dust container 51.

Hereinafter, a method of treating dust collected in the robot cleaner of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6.

When the cleaning instruction is applied, the robot cleaner 20 starts driving for cleaning (S1). The robot cleaner 20 can travel in the cleaning space while communicating with a controller (not shown). The robot cleaner 20 moves in real time while avoiding obstacles appearing in front of the vehicle according to the general driving method proposed by the present applicant. During this driving, cleaning is performed by operating the vacuum generator mounted therein (S2).

When the vacuum generator operates, first, outside air is sucked in through the intake port 22. The intake air moves along the intake pipe portion 63 of the dust container 51, pushes open the blockage 65 arranged horizontally in the movement direction, and is discharged into the inside. Air discharged into the dust container 51 is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust port 24, at this time, the dust contained in the exhaust is filtered by the filter 91. As a result, foreign matter is collected in the dust container 51.

As time passes, the amount of foreign matter gradually increases in the dust container 51. On the other hand, the cleaning operation is stopped by the running of the traveling robot 20 is stopped or the operation of the vacuum generator is stopped. At this time, the blockage 65 of the dust container 51 rotates downward by its own weight to block the opening, whereby the foreign matter filtered by the intake port 22 is prevented from flowing back. The amount of the foreign matter collected in the dust container 51 can be confirmed in a state in which the door 25 of the dust collecting chamber 23 is opened. If the door 25 is made of a transparent material, it is possible to easily check the amount of foreign matter collected without opening the door 25.

In the present invention for removing the dust collected in the dust container 51 (S3), on the other hand, the method of drawing out the dust container 51 and the method of using a vacuum cleaner or a handheld cleaner without pulling out the dust container 51 Is provided. Any one of these two methods can be selected (S4), and when the foreign matter is first removed using a handy vacuum cleaner (S6), the door 25 of the dust collecting chamber 23 is opened. Then, the handy cleaner is operated in a state in which the suction part 11 of the handy cleaner corresponds to the dust outlet 67 of the dust container 51. Then, the foreign matter in the dust container 51 can be processed cleanly in a short time.

By the way, for example, when the handy cleaner is not charged or the operation is poor, it is possible to take out the dust container 51 to remove the dust collected therein (S5). The dust container 51 can be taken out from the dust collecting chamber 23 simply by holding the handle part 71 formed in the upper plate. The withdrawn dust container 51 can easily handle the foreign matter collected in the inside by opening the cover 55 (S7). Then, after the cover 55 is recombined and accommodated in the dust collecting chamber 23 (S8), it is possible to perform the cleaning of the foreign matter in the order as described above.

1 through 5 use the same reference numerals for the same members shown in FIG.

6 is a perspective view showing a dust container according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the dust container 51 according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a sealing member 100 capable of sealing and opening the dust outlet 67 formed in the main body 53.

The sealing member 100 has a sealing member handle 110 to facilitate the opening of the sealing member 100. The sealing member 100 seals the dust outlet 67 by forcibly fitting to the outer circumferential surface of the dust outlet 67. Therefore, the sealing member 100 is preferably rubber or the like having elastic force.

When the robot cleaner 20 is being cleaned, the sealing member 100 seals the dust outlet 67. Accordingly, dust and the like to the dust outlet 67 are discharged to contaminate the dust collecting chamber 23 (see FIG. 2). Not only can it be prevented, but the suction force loss by the dust outlet 67 can be prevented. And, in order to remove dust in the dust container 51, by using the sealing member handle 110 of the sealing member 100 to open the sealing member 100, a vacuum cleaner (not shown) in the dust outlet (67) B is combined with the suction port of the handheld cleaner (not shown) to suck the dust collected in the dust container 51 to clean the dust container 51.

As shown in FIG. 6, the dust outlet 67 can be sealed by forcibly fitting the outer circumferential surface of the dust outlet to the sealing member 100. However, in addition to the sealing member 100 may be implemented in a manner of interference fit to the inner surface of the dust outlet (67).

As described above, according to the present invention, foreign matter collected in the robot cleaner can be easily and conveniently removed.

In addition, it is possible to clean the dust container cleanly using a vacuum cleaner provided in the home or office without having to take out and clean the dust container of the small robot cleaner every time.                     

In addition, according to the removal method of the present invention, after the user removes the dust container of the robot cleaner with a general vacuum cleaner without fear of getting dirt or dirt on the hand, if the dust is filled in the paper bag of the general vacuum cleaner do.

In addition, by allowing the dust outlet to be sealed, it is possible not only to prevent the loss of suction power caused by the dust outlet during cleaning, but also to prevent backflow of dust collected by the dust outlet, thereby preventing contamination in the dust collecting chamber. Cleanliness in the dust chamber can be maintained.

Claims (8)

A main body having an intake port and an exhaust port and installed in a detachable state in a dust chamber of the robot cleaner; A cover installed on the main body to open and close the exhaust port; Dust container of the robot cleaner comprising a; dust outlet formed in the main body. The method of claim 1,  The cover is coupled to the exhaust port dust collector of the robot cleaner, characterized in that the filter is provided so that the dust collected is not discharged through the exhaust port. The method according to claim 1 or 2, The main body, And a dust collecting portion protruding inwardly from the inlet and a handle portion adjacent to the dust discharge. The method of claim 3, wherein The opening of the intake pipe portion is provided with a blockage, the dust container of the robot cleaner, characterized in that the opening is blocked by the air pressure flowing through the intake port by blocking the opening by its own weight. The method of claim 1, Dust container of the robot vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the dust outlet is provided with a sealing member. The method of claim 5, The sealing member dust container of the robot cleaner, characterized in that formed into an elastic member to be able to fit in the dust outlet. The method of claim 5, The dust container of the robot cleaner, characterized in that the sealing member is provided with a sealing member handle provided to facilitate the separation from the dust outlet. Collecting dust contained in the air sucked through the intake port of the robot cleaner to the dust container housed in the dust collecting chamber, and then exhausting it through the exhaust port; And And removing the dust collected in the dust container by bringing the suction port of the separate discharge unit into close contact with the dust outlet formed in the dust container.

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