KR20070067784A - Apparatus and method for generating steam with minimizing energy consumption using steam pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus and a method for generating steam with minimizing energy consumption using steam pressure are provided to improve mobility of the cleaning apparatus by using a battery and removing function of foreign substance of the cleaning apparatus through the steam function. A cleaning apparatus includes a compression heating tank(200), a pressure controller(210), a heater(220), a sensor(230), a steam ejector(320), and a charger(350). The compression heating tank contains a certain amount of water or liquid and is capable of being sealed. The pressure controller controls a pressure of the compression heating tank. The heater increases liquid temperature by delivering heat to the compression heating tank. The sensor controls heat delivered to the compression heating tank by measuring a temperature and a pressure of the compression heating tank. The steam ejector ejects steam outside. The charger charges a battery by using an external power source, delivers electric energy to the heater, and allows the heater to heat the compression heating tank.

Description

Apparatus and method for generating steam with minimizing energy consumption using steam pressure}

1 is a view showing the configuration of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a view illustrating in detail the interaction of the pressurized heating tank 200, the pressure relief valve 212, the sensor 230, and the heating unit 220 in the pressurizing and heating process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a cleaner having a vacuum steam function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a power supply and a heating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

100: cleaning robot 200: pressurized heating tank

210: pressure control unit 220: heating unit

230: sensor unit 350: charging unit

360: battery

The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus using steam, and more particularly to a cleaning apparatus and method for generating steam while minimizing energy consumption by using steam pressure.

In the case of a vacuum cleaner, a suction force is generated through a device such as a motor to suck foreign substances. By the way, inhalation-based cleaning method removes dust and debris but has little effect of removing grease such as stain or sterilization effect. Stains such as oil are removed by liquids such as water rather than by inhalation, because the sterilization effect occurs when high temperatures are applied. Therefore, when the steam function is added to the cleaner, the stain removal or sterilization effect may be increased.

However, most of the methods for supplying power to the cleaner use a battery. This is because, when the electric power is supplied using the electric wire, the mobility of the cleaner is limited and the ease of use is also reduced.

On the other hand, in order to provide a steam method in the cleaner, the use of battery power is inevitably increased. In order to boil water and maintain the temperature of the boiled water, it is necessary to continuously receive thermal energy from the battery. In addition to the thermal energy, the vacuum cleaner consumes a lot of power since the motor must be operated to inhale dust or contaminants.

Therefore, in order to increase the use efficiency of the power supply and effectively remove foreign substances, a method of minimizing battery usage when providing steam is required.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner that generates steam while minimizing battery consumption.

Another object of the present invention is to improve the mobility of the cleaner through the battery and also to improve the foreign matter removal function of the cleaner through the steam function.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is a charging unit receiving electrical energy from the outside, a pressurized heating tank for raising the boiling point of the liquid present therein by using a sealed state, heating operation using the electrical energy The heating unit to increase the temperature of the liquid through, and the steam discharge unit for discharging the steam generated while the liquid of the pressure heating tank is vaporized to the outside.

Method of operating a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention is the step of receiving electrical energy from the outside, raising the temperature of the liquid using the electrical energy, applying pressure to the liquid to increase the boiling point of the liquid And discharging steam generated while the liquid is vaporized to the outside.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms, and only the embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the general knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

In addition, each block may represent a portion of a module, segment, or code that includes one or more executable instructions for executing a specified logical function (s). It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of order. For example, the two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the corresponding function.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a cleaner according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the pressurized heating tank 200 exists inside the cleaner 100. The pressurized heating tank 200 stores a certain amount of water or liquid and can be sealed. Then, the electrical energy supplied is made thermal energy, so that the temperature of a liquid such as water in storage can be raised. By the way, since the pressurized heating tank 200 is sealed, the boiling point of water goes up. As the pressure rises, the boiling point of the water rises, which is often applied to pressure cookers. Therefore, when heating by sealing or pressurizing, the temperature of the water in the pressurized heating tank 200 exists in a liquid state even if it exceeds 100 degreeC.

The pressure controller 210 adjusts the pressure of the pressurized heating tank 200. The pressure regulator 210 can be configured in a valve manner. The valve may block or enable external air inlet to leave the pressurized heating tank 200 in a sealed state or vice versa. An embodiment of the pressure regulator may be a valve for controlling the pressure, and a relief valve, a safety valve, a hydraulic valve, an unload valve, a sequence valve, a counter valve, and the like may be used.

In addition to the valve method, the pressure regulator 210 may be implemented by blocking the flow of air and the outside. It also prevents the pressure in the pressurized heating tank 200 from rising too much. In this case, the pressure applied to the pressure heating tank 200 may be adjusted by measuring the temperature and the pressure of the pressure heating tank 200 using the sensor 230.

The heating unit 220 transfers heat to the pressurized heating tank 200 to increase the liquid temperature therein. The heating unit 220 uses the electrical energy supplied from the outside when the cleaner 100 is being charged so that the liquid temperature of the pressurized heating tank 200 reaches a high temperature. When there is water in the pressurized heating tank 200, the water is boiled at 100 ℃, but if the sealed state or pressurized state, the boiling point may rise to 100 ℃ or more. Therefore, even if the heating part 220 adds a lot of heat to the pressurized heating tank 200, although the temperature of water rises to 100 degreeC or more, it exists as a liquid, without becoming steam. In an embodiment of the heating unit, a microwave and a high frequency generator may be used.

As described above, the temperature and pressure of the pressure heating tank 200 may be measured using the sensor 230 to adjust the heat applied to the pressure heating tank 200. In addition, when the vacuum cleaner 100 is heated while applying heat to the pressurized heating tank 200 to raise the temperature of the liquid to a predetermined temperature or more, and the cleaner is performing work while moving using the charged electrical energy, the heating unit 220. ) May provide a certain amount of heat to check the amount of electrical energy charged to maintain the temperature of the liquid or to slow down the temperature of the liquid to the pressure heating tank 200. However, if the amount of charged electrical energy is insufficient or the temperature of the liquid in the pressurized heating tank 200 is sufficiently high, the heating unit 220 does not provide heat.

After the temperature of the water inside the pressurized heating tank 200 is sufficiently raised during filling, the cleaning function is performed. Charging is complete and the battery receives electrical energy.

At this time, the pressure control unit 210 of the pressurized heating tank 200 is opened, and the steam is delivered through the steam delivery unit 250. Meanwhile, the steam delivery unit 250 may be equipped with a steam control unit 310 for adjusting the steam injection amount. The steam control unit 310 may adjust the injection amount of steam generated in the pressurized heating tank 200. The steam control unit 310 is connected to the steam blower 320 to inject steam to the outside of the cleaner 100 to enable cleaning using steam.

The steam blowing unit 320 injects steam to the outside. When a device having a function of removing contaminants such as a mop is attached to the cleaner, the steam ejecting unit 320 sprays steam to the device.

The charging unit 350 charges the power of the battery using an external power source. In addition, electric energy is transferred to the heating unit 220 during the charging so that the heating unit 220 can heat the pressurized heating tank 200. When charging is completed in the charging unit 350, the cleaner 100 may be moved and cleaned. The charging unit 350 supplies power energy to the motor to suck air and contaminants in order to perform the cleaning function in the cleaner 100, and supplies a small amount of electrical energy to the heating unit 220 to pressurize the heating tank 200. This prevents the temperature of the liquid in the abrupt decrease. On the other hand, when the temperature drop rate in the pressurized heating tank 200 is not large, the charging unit 350 may not supply electrical energy to the heating unit 220. A charging station (not shown) to which the cleaner can be coupled provides power to the charging unit 350.

2 is a view illustrating in detail the interaction of the pressurized heating tank 200, the pressure relief valve 212, the sensor 230, and the heating unit 220 in the pressurizing and heating process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 uses a pressure relief valve 212 as one embodiment of the pressure regulator 210. The pressure relief valve 212 is a valve to adjust the pressure in accordance with the pressure state in the tank. The pressure relief valve 212 of FIG. 2 releases the vacuum in the pressurized heating tank when the pressure in the pressurized heating tank 200 is increased to allow air to move. When the pressure relief valve 212 is opened to lower the pressure in the pressurized heating tank 200, the liquid present at a temperature of 100 ° C. or more may be converted into gas and ejected to the outside through the pressure relief valve 212. When the pressure in the pressurized heating tank 200 drops to a certain level or less, the pressure relief valve 212 is closed to block further air inflow.

On the other hand, the pressure may be adjusted through the heating unit 220 in addition to the pressure control unit 210. When the pressure of the pressurized heating tank 200 rises above a predetermined level, the heating unit 220 may suppress a temperature increase of the pressurized heating tank 200 so that the pressure no longer increases. Since pressure and volume are proportional to temperature, it is possible to prevent the pressure rise of the pressurized heating tank 200 through temperature control. When the pressure is lowered below a predetermined level in the state of stopping heating, the heating unit 220 may increase the temperature by applying heat to the pressurized heating tank 200. The heating unit 220 may check the temperature and pressure in the pressurized heating tank 200 through the sensor unit 230, and may maintain the temperature and pressure when the heating unit 220 reaches a state of satisfying a predetermined reference temperature and pressure. Provide enough heat.

In another embodiment of the invention, the pressure relief valve 212 automatically adjusts the pressure of the pressurized heating tank 200, and the heating unit 220 may provide heat only in accordance with the temperature regardless of the pressure. This is because the pressure and the temperature in the pressurized heating tank 200 can be adjusted simultaneously by adjusting any one of pressure and temperature.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a cleaner having a vacuum steam function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

It is checked whether the cleaner is coupled to the charging station (S502). When coupled to a filling station, the heating unit can increase the temperature and pressure of the pressurized heating tank. When coupled to the filling station checks the temperature and pressure of the pressurized heating tank (S504) to see if pressurization or heating is possible. This can be checked through the sensor unit. As a result of the check, if the pressure is higher than a predetermined pressure that the pressurized heating tank can tolerate (S506), the pressure regulator is opened to lower the pressure (S508). On the other hand, when the pressure is lower than the predetermined pressure, the temperature is checked. As a result of checking, when the temperature is lower than a predetermined temperature that can be allowed by the pressurized heating tank (S510), heating is started (S512).

Since the process may be separated from the charging station during the process of steps S504 to S512, it is always checked whether the process is combined with the charging station.

On the other hand, since the temperature and pressure of the pressurized heating tank are changed from time to time by pressure control or temperature control, the pressure and temperature are always checked when the pressure is lowered or heated (S504).

When the battery is separated without being coupled at the charging station (S502), a charged battery is used. Therefore, the heating function of the heating section is limited. Check whether the steam function is activated (S520). When the user turns on the steam function, in order to inject steam in the pressurized heating tank, the steam control unit is opened to discharge steam (S524). If the steam function is not activated, the temperature of the pressurized heating tank is maintained to allow the user to release steam when the user activates the steam function later (S528).

At this time, in order to maintain the temperature of the pressurized heating tank may be heated in the heating unit, since the liquid already exists in a state over 100 ℃ can be selectively heated in the heating unit. If the temperature is lower than or close to 100 ° C it is difficult to discharge steam, providing heat. On the other hand, if the liquid in the pressurized heating tank far exceeds 100 ℃, may not provide heat separately. Also check the condition of the battery and do not heat it when the residual electrical energy of the battery is low.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning robot according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The cleaning robot includes a central processing unit 110 that processes information and controls each part, and a user interface unit 120 that outputs information such as a text or a picture so that a user can operate the cleaning robot, and receives input from the user. do.

The pressurized heating tank 200, the pressure regulating unit 210, the heating unit 220, the sensor unit 230, and the steam delivery unit 250 are described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and will be replaced with the above description. .

The steam controller 310 adjusts the amount of steam generated. In one embodiment of the steam control unit 310 may use a solenoid. Solenoid valves are electrically operated devices. It is used to regulate the flow of fluid or gas in a fully closed or fully open manner. Solenoid valves are usually used in place of manual valves or where remote control may be required and are actuated by changes in electrical switches. Among the solenoid valves are automatic temperature, pressure, time switches or manual switches. A pilot operation valve, a direct acting valve, or the like can also be used as the steam control unit 310.

The steam ejecting unit 320 functions to spray or eject the steam discharged through the steam adjusting unit 310 to the pollutant removing unit 330. Eject while lowering the degree of liquefaction of the steam.

The contaminant removing unit 330 removes contaminants using the ejected steam and has a property of absorbing steam, such as cloth. Alternatively, when the pollutants are separated from the bottom by the ejection of steam may have a function to collect the pollutants. This also includes the case where the release of steam facilitates the separation of contaminants.

Parts that allow the cleaning robot to perform the vacuum cleaning function are the motor unit 410, the vacuum unit 420, and the suction unit 430. The motor unit 410 provides power energy to the vacuum unit 420 to suck outside air. The vacuum unit 420 sucks external air through the suction unit 430 using the power energy of the motor unit 410. In the process of inhaling the outside air, outside dust or contaminants are inhaled together.

The charging unit 350 charges the battery 360 using external electrical energy. Meanwhile, electric energy is supplied to the heating unit 220 so that the heating unit 220 can heat the liquid in the pressurized heating tank 200.

Meanwhile, according to the configuration of the cleaning robot, the device for charging the battery 360 and the device for supplying electrical energy to the heating unit 220 may be configured independently. That is, in addition to the charging unit 350, there may be a separate device for supplying electrical energy to the heating unit 220. This is just a difference in implementation.

The movement controller 450 controls the movement of the cleaning robot. The driving unit 460 is a device that enables the movement of the cleaning robot, such as a wheel or a caterpillar filter. The movement controller 450 includes a function of performing a sensor and a path calculation required for movement when the cleaning robot 100 moves and cleans automatically without the user's control.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a power supply and a heating unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, the interaction between the power supply and the heating unit will be described, and a description of the pressure regulator will be omitted. When the pressure in the pressurized heating tank rises, the pressure regulator can adjust the pressure independently without interaction with other devices.

The cleaning robot is divided into two states, a state in which it is coupled to a charging station and a state in which it is not coupled, and a battery is used without an engagement state. Therefore, the heating unit using the electric energy may change the heating method depending on whether the cleaning robot is coupled to the charging station.

When the cleaning robot is combined with the filling station (S550), it is checked whether the temperature of the liquid in the pressurized heating tank is higher or lower than the predetermined temperature C ₁ (S560). If the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (C ₁ ), the heating unit is operated (S562). On the other hand, if the temperature is high, the operation of the heating unit is stopped (S564). Since the coupling with the charging station may be released at all times, it is checked whether the coupling with the charging station is maintained while the heating unit is being operated or the heating unit is stopped (S550). And even during the additional heating operation, the temperature of the pressurized heating tank go up a predetermined temperature (C ₁₎ at least stop the heating operation unit (S564).

On the other hand, when not combined with the charging station or because the power of the battery to operate the heating unit is different.

First, it is checked whether the remaining electric energy is sufficient to operate the heating unit (S570). The battery supplies the electrical energy necessary for the cleaning robot to move and perform the cleaning, so the operation of the heating part must be partially controlled. In addition, providing high temperatures, such as when combined with a charging station, quickly consumes the battery's electrical energy, so it is necessary to adjust it.

If the battery has enough electrical energy, measure the liquid temperature in the pressurized heating tank. If the temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature (C ₂ ) (S572) the heating unit is operated (S574). At this time, the heating unit is different from the operation of step S562. The heating operation of step S562 may generate high heat since the electric energy is continuously supplied from the outside, but the heating operation of step S574 needs to generate the minimum heat required to eject steam. This is to use a minimum amount of electrical energy, since the current energy is consumed when the cleaning function is performed later even if the electrical energy is sufficient. On the other hand, if the remaining electric energy is not enough to operate the heating unit, or the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature (C ₂ ) to stop the operation of the heating unit (S576).

Predetermined temperature at ₁ C S560 and C S572 in a predetermined temperature is measured ₂ otherwise. For example, in S560, the heating unit may be operated based on 120 ° C, but in S572, the heating unit may be operated based on 105 ° C. Usually C ₁ > C ₁₂ .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of the following claims rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and the equivalent concept are included in the scope of the present invention. Should be interpreted.

By implementing the present invention, it is possible to perform steam cleaning or hot mop cleaning while minimizing battery consumption of the cleaning robot.

By implementing the present invention, the steam function can be used wirelessly or unattended.

Claims (6)

A charging unit receiving electric energy from the outside; A pressurized heating tank for raising the boiling point of the liquid present therein by using the sealed state; A heating unit for raising the temperature of the liquid through a heating operation using the electrical energy; And And a steam discharge unit for discharging steam generated when the liquid in the pressurized heating tank is vaporized to the outside. The method of claim 1, The charging unit provides power to the battery inside, When the charging unit does not receive electric energy from the outside, And the battery supplies electrical energy to the heating unit to maintain or raise the temperature of the liquid in the pressurized heating tank, or to block the rate of temperature drop of the liquid. The method of claim 1, The cleaning device includes a dirt removal unit, and the dirt removal unit inhales dirt that is easily separated or separated from the floor by steam discharged through the steam discharge unit, or attaches the dirt to a predetermined portion of the cleaning device. Cleaning device. Receiving electric energy from the outside; Using the electrical energy to raise the temperature of the liquid; Pressurizing the liquid to raise the boiling point of the liquid; And Releasing steam generated when the liquid is vaporized to the outside. The method of claim 4, wherein Raising the boiling point of the liquid comprises leaving the liquid closed and heating the liquid to increase the pressure of the vessel containing the liquid. The method of claim 4, wherein And removing the dirt comprises sucking or attaching the dirt to a portion of a cleaning device that is easily separated or separated from the floor by the released steam.

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