KR20090126018A - A bumper of automatic cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A buffer device of an automatic cleaner is provided to sense collision of the automatic cleaner by operating a micro switch. CONSTITUTION: A buffer device of an automatic cleaner comprises a bumper, a plate(200), and elastic members(500). The bumper is protruded from one side of a case(300) of the automatic cleaner. The plate coupled with one side of the automatic cleaner provides receiving spaces(220) of the bumper. The elastic members are installed between the bumper and the receiving space. Parts contacted with the bumper are formed in a bilateral symmetry in the receiving space.

Description

A bumper of automatic cleaner

The present invention relates to a shock absorber of an automatic vacuum cleaner.

In general, an automatic vacuum cleaner, called a robot vacuum cleaner, is equipped with a plurality of detection sensors to avoid obstacles based on a detection signal of the detection sensor according to a command of a control unit, and removes foreign substances or dust scattered on the floor through the suction motor. It is a device that sucks together and performs cleaning work. It uses a rechargeable battery provided as a power source.

On the other hand, there is a case in which the automatic vacuum cleaner having the function as described above collides with an obstacle due to a malfunction of the detection sensor. In this case, a cushioning action is performed through a bumper device provided on the front side of the main body and at the same time, the controller Generates a signal to detect collisions and guides you to avoid obstacles.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a bumper device of a vacuum cleaner according to the prior art.

As shown in the drawings, the bumper device according to the prior art has a protrusion 11 and a protrusion formed at an outer surface of the case 10 so that the bumper 30 may be mounted on the main body case 10 forming the appearance. It is formed at the end of (11) has a fixing projection (11a) for preventing the bumper (30) from being separated.

In addition, the bumper 30 includes a housing 31 forming an exterior and a locking portion 31a that is caught by the fixing protrusion 11a. The bumper 30 has a hollow portion inside the bumper 30 of the case 1. The micro switch 32 is provided with a contact terminal 32a to protrude outward to detect a collision, and the inner side of the housing 31 to contact the contact terminal 32a of the micro switch 32 when colliding with an obstacle. It is configured to include a contact protrusion 33 formed in.

In addition, the bumper 30 is coupled between the inner surface of the housing 31 and the outer surface of the case 10 to cushion the shock from the outside and return the housing 31 to the original state after the impact is removed. Spring 34 and the coupling portion 34a for coupling the spring 34 to the inner surface of the housing 31 and the outer surface of the case 1 is further provided.

On the other hand, the bumper device according to the prior art is configured as described above, the spring 34 is provided between the housing 31 and the case 10 the impact applied to the bumper 30 when collided with an obstacle. Is cushioned and the housing 31 slides toward the case 10 so that the contact protrusion 33 formed inside the housing 31 contacts the contact terminal 32a of the micro switch 32. The sensing information of the micro switch 32 is sensed by the controller so that the obstacle can be avoided.

However, the prior art as described above has the following problems.

In the bumper apparatus of the automatic cleaner according to the prior art, the spring 34 is fixedly mounted to the housing 31 and the case 10 so that both ends thereof are horizontal to the bottom surface.

Therefore, the spring 34 can smoothly perform its original role, that is, the cushioning function only when the vacuum cleaner according to the prior art collides with the front face.

That is, in the related art, when the automatic cleaner collides in the diagonal direction, the external pressure due to the collision cannot be transmitted to the spring 34 smoothly, and thus, the cushioning function cannot be smoothly performed.

In addition, since the buffer function is not smoothly performed as described above, the contact terminal 32a of the micro switch 32 does not come into contact with the contact protrusion 33 provided in the housing 31 so that collision detection may be smoothly performed. There is a problem that can not be achieved.

In addition, as the collision detection is not made smoothly as described above, the automatic cleaner runs along the collision surface in a state in which it collides with a wall or an obstacle, which may cause the appearance of the automatic cleaner to be damaged.

An object of the present invention, which was devised to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, detects a collision of an automatic cleaner generated in multiple directions, generates a buffering action according to the collision direction, and enables collision detection by operating a micro switch. It is to provide a shock absorber of the automatic cleaner.

The present invention provides a bumper member protruding from one side of the case of the automatic cleaner, a plate fastened to one side of the main body of the automatic cleaner, and providing a receiving space of the bumper member, and an elastic member provided between the bumper member and the receiving space. It includes, The receiving space is characterized in that the portion in contact with the bumper member by the external impact is formed in a polygon.

In another aspect, the present invention is a bumper member protruding downward from the lower surface of the case of the automatic vacuum cleaner, a plate which is fastened to one side of the main body of the automatic cleaner, and provides a receiving space of the bumper member, and a micro provided on one side of the plate The switch is provided on one side of the case, and has a configuration including an operating contact for operating the micro switch and an elastic member provided between the bumper member and the receiving space, the micro switch is operated when spaced apart from the operating contact It is characterized by.

The vacuum cleaner according to the present invention having the above characteristics is formed in a polygonal shape in which a bumper member pressurizing the elastic member by an external factor and a part of the receiving space of the bumper member are formed in a polygonal shape corresponding to each other, as well as a plurality of directions. There is an advantage in that it can detect the collision occurring in and buffer the impact force accordingly. Therefore, there is an advantage that the buffering capacity and the collision detection performance of the automatic cleaner is improved.

That is, the shock absorbing guide, which is one component of the bumper member, is formed in a shape corresponding to one side of the receiving space, so that when the collision occurs in a diagonal direction, the shock absorbing guide is in contact with one surface of the receiving space, thereby compressing the elastic member. The shock absorbing force is generated to cushion the collision in multiple directions.

In addition, the case and the plate are further provided with flow restricting means for limiting the flow range of the bumper member to limit the buffering degree of the bumper member.

Therefore, the limit of the buffer limit is limited by the flow limiting means, thereby preventing the internal components provided inside the main body, that is, the electronic parts having a high risk of damage due to impact, such as a micro switch.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described a specific embodiment of the present invention. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments presented, and those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention can easily suggest other embodiments within the scope of the same idea.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing one example of an automatic vacuum cleaner employing a shock absorber of the automatic vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, the automatic vacuum cleaner 1 employing the present invention is formed by the case 100 and the main body 120, most of the appearance, the main body 120 is rotated by a driving motor (not shown) Received by the drive wheels 110 to enable the movement of the automatic cleaner (1) is provided in a pair on both sides, the drive motor is mounted to each of the drive wheels (110) to control the rotation individually It is possible to change the direction and movement of the vacuum cleaner (1).

An operation button 150 is further provided on the upper side of the automatic cleaner 1 to enable setting of a control situation such as a driving mode and a traveling time of the automatic cleaner 1, and a control input set through the operation button 150. And a display 160 showing a control state of the automatic cleaner 1 to one side of the operation button 150.

In addition, the main body of the automatic cleaner (1) is provided with a suction port (not shown) for suctioning the foreign matter and dust scattered on the floor surface with the air by using a suction motor operated during driving, the dust and foreign matter sucked through the suction port is It is collected in the dust container 170 along the suction path formed inside the main body.

On the other hand, the automatic vacuum cleaner 1 operating as described above detects obstacles and walls using a plurality of detection sensors 140 provided in the main body, and travels by avoiding them.

However, when the detection of the obstacle or the wall is not made according to the detection performance of the sensor 140, the automatic cleaner 1 collides with the wall or the obstacle. The automatic cleaner 1 is further provided with a shock absorber for transmission.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the shock absorber of the automatic cleaner 1 according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view for showing a coupling relationship between the case and the plate of one embodiment of the automatic vacuum cleaner according to the present invention, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the case is separated in Figure 3, Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of Figure 3 .

As shown in these drawings, the shock absorber of the automatic cleaner according to the present invention is fastened downwardly from the bottom surface of the case 300 and is fastened to one side of the main body 120 and the bumper member ( It comprises a plate 200 for providing a receiving space 220 of the 320, and the elastic member 500 provided between the bumper member 320 and the receiving space 220.

In more detail, the plate 200 is provided between the lower side of the case 300 and the main body 120, and is provided with a main body fastening portion 210 protruding downward and fixedly mounted to the main body 120. do.

Then, the receiving space 220 is formed to be perforated to accommodate the bumper member 320 to be described in detail below the plate 200 therein.

The accommodating space 220 is selectively contacted with a portion of the bumper member 320 by an external impact, and as shown in FIG. 5, the front side is formed in a polygonal shape corresponding to the shape of the bumper member 320. .

In more detail, when the receiving space 220 is viewed as a whole, the front side is formed in a triangular shape corresponding to the bumper member 320 in a pentagonal shape and the rear side is formed in a square shape.

The member fixing protrusion 280 protrudes downward from one side of the receiving space 220 so that one side of the elastic member 500 to be described below is fastened, and at both left and right sides of the member fixing protrusion 280. A member guide 260 is further formed to extend forwardly to prevent detachment of the elastic member 500.

On the other hand, the bumper member 320 is formed to protrude downward from the position corresponding to the position of the accommodation space 220 on the lower surface of the case 300, corresponding to the front side shape of the accommodation space 220 The buffer guide 322 is formed to be slightly smaller in shape and protrudes downward from one side of the buffer guide 322, it is composed of a member fastening portion 324 to which the other side of the elastic member 500 is fastened.

More specifically, the buffer guide 322 is formed in a triangular shape to correspond to the front side shape of the receiving space 220 is formed so that the two surfaces have an obtuse angle, and forms a triangular shape of the buffer guide 322 Each surface is formed to have a length smaller than the surface forming the front side of the receiving space (220).

In addition, the member fastening portion 324 is formed to extend downward from the lower surface of the triangular shape to form the same height as the member fixing protrusion 280 described above, and the elastic member 500 is fastened so that a plurality of Ribs protrude outwardly. Of course, such a rib is also formed in the member fixing protrusion 280.

On the other hand, one end of the elastic member 500 is fixed to the aforementioned member fixing protrusion 280, the other end is fixed to the member fastening portion 324, the pressure to be applied to the automatic cleaner (1) by external factors At this time, the member fastening portion 324 integrally formed in the case 300 is pressed by the bumper member 320 while moving along the collision direction, and when the pressure is released, the member fastening member 324 is elastically restored to release the bumper member 320 and The spring is used to allow the case 300 to return to its initial position.

In addition, the plate 200 and the case 300 are further provided with a flow restriction means 600 for limiting the buffering degree of the bumper member 320 for pressing the elastic member 500.

The flow restricting means 600 is formed in a perforation in the plate 200, protruding portion 240 is located in the front and rear sides of the receiving space 220 and protrudes downward from the lower surface of the case 300 It is formed, and comprises a limiting projection 340 having a position corresponding to the projection receiving portion 240 in the front and rear of the bumper member 320.

In detail, the limiting protrusion 340 is formed to protrude so that an initial position is formed near the center of the protrusion accommodating part 240, and the protrusion accommodating part 240 contacts one side of the limiting protrusion 340 with an inner circumferential surface thereof. The bumper member 320 limits the degree to which the elastic member 500 is pressed.

To this end, the protrusion accommodating part 240 is formed in a circular shape, and the diameter is shorter than a separation distance between the member fastening part 324 of the bumper member 320 and the member fixing protrusion 280 of the plate 200. .

On the other hand, in the buffer device for buffering the pressure applied to the automatic cleaner 1 from the outside through the structure as described above, the micro switch 400 for transmitting the collision information to the control unit and the operating contact 420 for operating the same It is further provided.

6 is a view showing a coupling relationship between a micro switch and an operating contact, which is a main component of the present invention.

As shown in the drawing, the micro switch 400 is fitted and fixed to the switch fastening part 250 which protrudes upward from the upper surface of the front side of the plate 200, and the operating contact 420 is the case 300. The coupling relationship is made to be fixed to the contact fixing portion 360 protruding downward from the front side.

In addition, the micro switch 400 is provided with a terminal portion having a distance corresponding to the thickness of the operating contact 420 so that the operating contact 420 can be fitted, the collision does not occur in the vacuum cleaner (1) In other words, the initial position is a state in which the operating contact 420 is fitted to the terminal portion.

In addition, in the above state, the collision detection signal is not generated to the control unit of the automatic cleaner 1, and when the case 300 is moved due to the collision of the automatic cleaner 1, the operation contact with the case 300. As the 420 is separated from the terminal part, the collision detection signal is transmitted to the controller.

Hereinafter, this will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an operation state of a bumper member and a micro switch when a frontal collision of an automatic cleaner occurs by a shock absorber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, when the automatic cleaner 1 collides to the front, the case 300 moves to the rear side according to the collision direction.

When the case 300 moves to the rear side as described above, the bumper member 320 and the limiting protrusion 340 formed integrally with the case 300 are fixed as well as the contact fixing unit 360. The contact 420 moves rearward with the rearward movement of the case 300.

Therefore, the bumper member 320 moves to the rear side by pressing the elastic member 500 due to the rearward movement as described above, and the limiting protrusion 340 is inside the bumper accommodating part 240. It moves to the rear side while limiting the movement of the member 320.

In addition, the operating contact 420 is moved backward with the case 300 to the rear from the terminal portion of the micro-switch 400, thereby the micro switch 400 in the control unit of the vacuum cleaner (1) Collision detection signal sent from is delivered.

On the other hand, the buffer device of the automatic vacuum cleaner 1 according to the present invention is generated from the front because the shape of the accommodating space 220 and the shape of the buffer guide 322 constituting the bumper member 320 is a polygon, that is, a triangular shape In addition to the collision that is being made, the collision detection through the micro switch 400 is smoothly performed while buffering the collision generated in the diagonal direction.

8 is a view schematically showing the action of the receiving space and the bumper member and the elastic member due to the collision generated from the front, Figures 9 and 10 are the receiving space and bumper member due to the collision generated in the diagonal direction And a diagram schematically showing the action of the elastic member.

As shown in these figures, the shock absorber of the automatic cleaner 1 according to the present invention is configured to smoothly detect the impact and reduce the impact of the automatic cleaner 1 generated in the diagonal direction as well as the frontal collision.

Specifically, when the case 300 is pressed by the frontal collision, and the bumper member 320 presses the elastic member 500 by the pressing of the case 300, as shown in FIG. 8. The buffer guide 322 forming the bumper member 320 moves to the rear side without contacting the front side of the accommodation space 220 to press the elastic member 500.

However, when a diagonal collision occurs as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the case 300 of the vacuum cleaner 1 does not move to the rear side correctly, but has a predetermined angle to the rear side and has a rearward angle. Will move.

On the other hand, when the case 300 is moved while forming an angle to the rear as described above, the bumper member 320 formed integrally with the case 300 also moves while forming the same angle to the rear side, wherein the buffer The bumper member 320 moves along the contact surface while the guide 322 contacts one front surface of the accommodation space 220.

That is, when the automatic cleaner 1 collides with an obstacle or a wall in the right diagonal direction as shown in FIG. 9, the buffer guide 322 is in contact with the front left inclined surface of the accommodation space 220 along the inclined surface to the rear. When it starts to move and collides with the left diagonal direction as shown in FIG. 10, the buffer guide 322 contacts the front right inclined surface of the accommodation space 220 and starts moving along the inclined surface to the rear.

Then, when the movement of the buffer guide 322 is completed along the inclined surface, the bumper member 320 is moved along the straight plane that is formed extending to the rear side after the front inclined surface of the receiving space 220 according to the collision degree The elastic member 500 is pressed to generate a shock absorbing action, and the operating contact point 420 is separated from the micro switch 400 to transmit a collision detection signal to the controller.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of a bumper device of a vacuum cleaner according to the prior art.

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an automatic vacuum cleaner employing a shock absorber of the automatic vacuum cleaner according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view for showing a coupling relationship between the case and the plate of one embodiment automatic cleaner according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the case is removed in FIG.

5 is a bottom perspective view of FIG. 3.

Figure 6 is a view for showing a coupling relationship between the micro switch and the operating contact of the main component of the present invention.

7 is a perspective view illustrating an operation state of a bumper member and a micro switch when a frontal collision of an automatic cleaner occurs by a shock absorber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 schematically shows the action of the receiving space and the bumper member and the elastic member due to the collision generated in the front.

9 and 10 are views schematically showing the action of the receiving space and the bumper member and the elastic member due to the collision generated in the diagonal direction.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

1 ....... Auto Cleaner 110 ..... Driving Wheel

120 ..... main body 140 ..... sensor

150 ..... Operation Buttons 160 ..... Display

170 ..... Dust bin 180 ..... Sensor mounting

200 ..... Plate 210 ..... Body Fastening

220 ..... accommodation space 240 ..... protrusion

250 ..... switch fastener 260 ..... member guide

280 ..... Absence fixing protrusion 300 ..... Case

320 ..... Bumper member 322 ..... Shock absorber guide

324 ..... Member 340 ..... Restriction

360 ..... folding 400 ..... micro switch

420 ..... Operating contact 500 ..... Elastic member

Claims (11)

A buffer port protruding from the case side of the automatic cleaner; A plate which is fastened to one side of the main body of the vacuum cleaner and provides an accommodation space of the buffer port; And an elastic member provided between the buffer hole and the accommodation space. The portion in contact with the buffer in the receiving space, Shock absorber of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that formed in a symmetrical shape. A buffer port protruding from the case side of the automatic cleaner; A plate which is fastened to one side of the main body of the vacuum cleaner and provides an accommodation space of the buffer port; A micro switch provided at one side of the plate; An operation contact provided at one side of the case and operating the micro switch; And an elastic member provided between the buffer hole and the accommodation space. The accommodation space, The shock absorber of the automatic vacuum cleaner, characterized in that the portion in contact with the buffer by the external shock corresponding to the shape of the buffer. The method of claim 2, The micro switch, A shock absorber of an automatic vacuum cleaner, characterized in that it is operated when it is spaced apart from the operating contact. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the accommodation space, The buffer device of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that the portion in contact with the buffer is formed at least two surfaces. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the buffer port, A member fastening part to which one side of the elastic member is fastened; And a buffer guide formed integrally with the member fastening portion and selectively contacting the accommodation space. The plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate, Protruding from one side of the receiving space, one side of the elastic member is a cushioning device of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that the member fixing projection is further formed to be fixed. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the case and plate, Shock absorber of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that further provided with a flow restriction means for limiting the flow range of the buffer. The method of claim 7, wherein the flow restriction means, Restriction protrusions protruding in the same direction as the flow port on one side of the case, It is formed on the plate, the shock absorber of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that it comprises a projection receiving portion for providing a receiving space of the limiting projection. The method of claim 5, wherein the buffer guide, Shock absorber of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that formed in a triangular shape. The plate according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate, A cushioning device for an automatic cleaner, characterized in that the member guide is further provided for preventing the removal of the elastic member. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the accommodation space, Shock absorber of the automatic cleaner, characterized in that formed in the pentagonal shape.

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